In the case of conscience, all should certainly agree that parents cannot follow diocesan regulations if these regulations are reasonably believed to be sinful. The example in the article of the overnight coed retreat is a good example. Another case of conscience might come in one of the dioceses which is mandating the use of certain textbooks. A committee of bishops recently issued a report on the catechisms in use in the American parochial schools and CCD programs, which outlined the shortcomings of these catechisms. If a diocese mandated such a textbook, a parent may feel obligated in conscience not to use it.
Prudence is a cardinal virtue in the Christian life.
An important part of raising children is making judgments constantly about what is good and bad for them. It is curious then that some people seem to accept any regulations issued by any diocese without a second thought. The attitude seems to be that if a bishop says it is required , then it is required and parents must be obedient, whether the bishop has the authority or not, and whether or not it is good for the children involved. In reading Mary Hasson's article, one cannot find the slightest hint that parents are the primary educators of their children, or that the parents should use discernment in their children's religious upbringing. One would have to conclude from this article that bishops could simply ban religious home education, and that if they did so, Catholics would simply be bound to stop.