THE CARROLL NEWS: 

Pope's first visit to the U.S.: Benedict XVI to address concern over Catholic
schools across the U.S. closing, also the United Nations
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Max Flessner on 17 April, 2008 02:00:00
 
This week will be Pope Benedict XVI’s first trip to the United States as
pontiff and, among other issues, he will address the reality that Catholic
schools throughout the country are closing.
The Pope will hold several meetings with college and university presidents of
Catholic institutions across the country. The Rev. Niehoff, president of John
Carroll University, will be in attendance.
Doris Donnelly, associate professor of religious studies and director of the
Cardinal Suenens Center, said that she hopes the Pope’s message is encouraging
for the presidents of Catholic colleges and universities.
Economic downturns have been turned to as one of the reasons why Catholic
schools are having so much trouble across the country.
“Money being raised by Catholic charities is also going to other social
services like hospitals,” Donnelly said. “It’s not an issue of the Church
closing schools to build up a bankroll.”
Another major financial reason that Catholic schools are having difficulty
remaining open is major settlements in sexual abuse lawsuits across the country,
according to The Associated Press.
“The [Pope’s] visit is to connect with a country that has suffered a blow
with the sex scandals but has remained faithful to the Pope and to the idea of
healing,” Donnelly said.
There have been 1,267 Catholic schools that have closed since 2000. Also, since
that time enrollment in Catholic schools has dropped nationwide by 14 percent,
which equates to 382,125 students, according to the National Catholic Education
Association.
According to Donnelly, this could be due to one of three reasons: dioceses
(which normally help fund the schools) are consolidating, economic constraints,
or there simply could be fewer Catholic’s in this country.
During his visit at JCU, The Rev. J. Bryan Hehir, professor at the Kennedy
School of Government at Harvard University, speculated another reason: Catholic
schools are competing with improving public school systems, especially in
suburban areas.
“Catholic schools have been central in preserving the faith in the United
States,” said Hehir. “Although the numbers enrolled may not stay the same,
we will find a way to keep these schools vibrant,” he said.
While the Pope will be here, he will only be meeting with college presidents
– not elementary or high school principals.
Hehir also addressed the issue of the large settlements on sexual abuse
lawsuits being a factor in the closing of these schools. “You need to see
where the money comes from for these settlements,” he said. “There are
different ways that dioceses are paying for this. I have no doubt that it has
had an influence, but a generalized statement is open to critique,” he added.
In some dioceses, there are deals being made to have a public-private
partnership in an effort to keep the Catholic schools open. There has also been
a movement for private fund raising to help keep Catholic schools open.
“This doesn’t pose a threat to Catholic education as long as we keep our
principles straight,” Hehir said.
During his stay in the U.S., the Pope will also visit the White House, speak at
the United Nations, say Mass at Yankee Stadium and Nationals Park, where the
Washington Nationals’ play Major League Baseball.