Before convening the ad hoc committee, Archbishop Lyke had heard concerns of some pastors who were concerned that subsidies paid to assist parishes with schools were becoming too high and significantly impacted the amount of money left in the parish to education Catholic children attending public schools. The report by the committee was presented to Archbishop John Donoghue last of the committee. Archbishop Donoghue spoke to the committee members during the meeting, affirming the importance of the future of Catholic schools and recognizing the work of the committee as a good starting point. I do want to meet with the diocesan Consultors, the Priests Council, the finance committee and the pastors and discuss all of the recommendations which you have presented and see to what extent we can implement your recommendations. The report calls for the public affirmation of Catholic schools.
Catholic education is the future of our church.
Everyone wants it, but no one wants to pay for it. In 1990-91 tuition and fees constituted 68.35 percent of the operating revenue of elementary schools while parish investment made up 21.76 percent. Ten percent was derived from other sources. This formula would become effective once adequate funds are available in the Archbishop Lyke Memorial Foundation. The committee surveyed a number of dioceses, and all surveyed have an endowment specifically for the purpose of funding Catholic schools.