The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1955-11-25

they exist: they exist by right;
and they are unquestionably car.
rying a large share of the educa-
tional burden. Their teachers, re.
ligious and lay, have dedicated
themselves to high purpose,
have labored hard to acquit them
selves worthily, and the entire
nation is their debtor. These
schools have every claim in fact
and in justice to be recognized as
powerful contributing factors in
the building of a better and freer
country.
They have their critics, and
among them none more vocal
than those who assert that these
schools introduce an element of
divisiveness into American soci.
ETY.. II were idle to attempt to ar
que the point with those who de-
liberately employ it to foment dis
agreement, but for the sake of
those who are honestly confused,
it is worth examining the charge.
Upon what does 1t rest? Is it JUS
titled in the observation that pri-
vate schooling and religious edu-
cation have actually tended to-
ward a sundering of the bonds of
civic unity and common loyalty?
II is true that in the case of the
religious schools there is differ
ence, inasmuch as they exist to
teach positive religion as the in
tegrating element of the curricu-
lum. But surely, religion itself is
not a discordant factor in Amer
ican life. Surely, Christianity,
with its primary inculcation of
love of God and love Of neighbor
is not divisive. Only those who
teach hatred teach division; those
who teach love teach unity. How
can it be. then, that religion in
the school should be accused of
sowing the seeds of national dis
cord? Rather, is it not obvious
that positive Christian training,
with its emphasis on the sane
tons of divine law, If the natural
law, and of civil law, on the So
cial nature of the virtues of JUS
tice and charity, on the moral OBJ
legations of patriotism and public
service, provides the strongest &C.
ment that can possibly bind a
nation together? Criticism of
these schools at times seems to
forget that we are a pluralistic
society that postul'tes not uni
formity but rather unity in vari-
ETY..
Church-related schools reflect
nothing so clearly as that Amri-
can spirit which demands unity in
the essentials of citizenship while
defending to the death those
things in which the citizen is
guaranteed his freedom.
What, then, is the place of the
private and church-related schools
in America? Their place is one
dictated by nothing more than
justice and equity, and accorded
the recognition of their worth.
They have. we repeat, full right
to be considered and dealt with
as components Of the American
educational system. They protest
against the kind of thinking that
would reduce them secondary
level, and against unfair and dis
criminatory treatment VIII ! c h
would, in effect, write them off
as less wholly dedicated to the
public welfare than the state-sup-
ported schools. The students of
these schools have the right to
benefit from those measures,
grants, or aids, which are mani
festly designed for the health,
safety and welfare of American
youth, irrespective of the school
attended.
This statement is submitted in
quiet confidence that the national
sense of justice will stand firm,
and that a cordial appreciation of
private and church n e a I e d
schools, both for what they are
and for what they have done for
America, will see to Ii that they
are preserved and upheld so long
ais this is a nation Of free men,
Signed by members of the Ad-
ministrative Board, National |
Catholic Welfare Conference, in
the name of the Bishops of the
United States.
Edward Cardinal Mooney, Arch
bishop of Detroit.
Samuel Cardinal Stritch, Arch
bishop of Chicago.
Francis Cardinal Spell m an
Archbishop of New York.
James Francis Cardinal Mcln-
tvre Arehhishou of Los Angeles.