Archdiocese Unleases Nuclear Option on North

MONEY TRUMPS SPIRITUALITY AND MISSION IN THE CITY, 1,200 BOYS AND GIRLS LEFT TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES AS ARCHDIOCESE EXPANDS IN WHITE SUBURBIA NORTH AND WEST OF PHILADELPHIA

Education: As They See Fit

On a visceral level, I can understand the decision today to close storied North Catholic and Cardinal Dougherty. As far as I am concerned, the Archdiocese has removed itself from educating all its children to educating those few who can afford it. This happened several years ago as evidenced by its decision to build two new, state of the art high schools in well to do, suburban white areas of Royersford/Pottstown and in Hilltown, Bucks County. Do you think it was just a coincidence that diverse schools like North and Dougherty are the first to fall? My best friend said it best tonight, "the Church is Catholic chasers" and I would add, the whiter, the better because white begets green, green as in money. Furthermore, I would suggest that Catholicism is more about business and money than it is about religion. Cruel assessment I know, but to those who have lived it both as a Catholic and as someone involved with the Church and its children there is no substitute for experience.

This decision, like many that are made by highly secretive and sensitive organizations was heavy handed, and made without any input from the school after repeated efforts and pleadings to allow it to move forward. It was an easy decision (so says the Archdiocese) based on the numbers but I would have to ask you, “do you trust the representatives of the Church to be reliable with future enrollment decisions given its past indescretions” or would one think it would present numbers to rationalize its case?

How then, I ask you, can a school like Little Flower blossom, which is located in the same neighborhoods of North and Cardinal Dougherty. Wouldn’t the impact of the demographics be similar? A cynic might wonder about West Catholic and Hallahan and its demographics and trends. A cynic might ask how many Catholics are being educated at schools like West Catholic (and others)and a cynic might question the motives of some decision makers that once worked there.

I saw a quote today commenting on this decision as a cowardly one. I would have to concur, not only was it cowardly and made by cowards, it became more offensive because of the isolation that the Archdiocese performed on these schools as the decision was being rendered. Isolation over the last six months when the school presented an action plan to make it work and if that fails, close it. That is what gentleman and good business people do, they compromise for the best deal. In this case, our plan and compromise was for the boys that we educate. At least we remember the children.

As a Catholic, I was raised under the assumption that these men who become priests are a level above us in honesty, commitment and religion based on the vows that they took. What I have found to be truer is that those involved in education are dishonest by nature, not interested in the inner city unless it makes money and only religious when it suits their needs such as Sunday mass, weddings and funerals (which all raise money, go figure). In this case in particular, it would give Bernie Madoff a run for his money. Sad to say, but unfortunately true.

Finally, let’s examine the money motive. The schools close and leave 1200 boys and girls to fend for themselves, without any commitment to their financial aide status. The Archdiocese still has responsibility for each physical plant I believe. Those children who decide to continue with their Catholic education would then swell near by schools. This, I would think, would call for additional teachers namely from the closed schools, so what is it really saving? Well, like all good corporate citizens, they would be forcing more boys and girls to seek alternative education systems like public and charter schools transferring the financial burden on the cash strapped City. One might argue that this decision will push more poor and lower middle class children further from the Church. A cynic might question the mission of the Church and one might conclude that it is not about the flock or the children, it’s all about the money.