STATEMENT ON

PARENTS' CHOICE ~ CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

January 25, 1990

     It is with a great sense of pride and joy that we join with 70,000 students and their parents, and the 4,000 teachers and administrators of the 203 Catholic schools in Florida and in the celebration of Catholic Schools Week 1990. The theme "PARENTS' CHOICE - CATHOLIC SCHOOLS" is especially welcome. As Pope John Paul II said:

     "Permit me, brothers and sisters, to mention briefly something that is of special concern to the Church. I refer to the rights and duties of parents in the education of their children. The Second Vatican Council clearly enunciated the Church's position: 'Since parents have conferred life on their children, they have a most solemn obligation to educate their offspring. Hence, parents must be acknowledged as the first and foremost educators of their children' ... Nor should parents in any way be penalized for choosing for their children an education according to their beliefs." (Address to elementary, secondary and religious education leaders, New Orleans, Louisiana, Sept. 12, 1987.)

     We join with the Holy Father and urge assistance to parent's in meeting the financial costs of educating their children in parochial and private schools.

     Having enjoyed an increase in overall enrollment for the past three consecutive school years, Florida's Catholic schools remain healthy and continue to make an invaluable contribution to the Church and to the state. Our schools proudly offer to our state an education that is value oriented through regular religious instructions and a wholesome atmosphere accompanied by sound well-recognized academic programs. Our schools enjoy a reputation of academic excellence and service to the community. Of equal importance is the social consciousness our graduates take with them as they go forth into the community, seeking to remove the injustices in society.

     The tradition of Catholic schools in Florida dates to 1606 when Franciscans opened a Catholic school in St. Augustine, Florida "to teach reading, mathematics and the principles of Catholic religion." Almost 400 years later, we join with others in Catholic educational ministry across the nation in declaring January 31, 1990 as National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools.

     The Church in Florida is indebted to the religious men and women who have devoted their lives to insure that Catholic education should continue and thrive. More and more our schools are blessed with the dedicated services of so many generous and self-sacrificing lay men and women as administrators, teachers and auxiliary personnel. We are grateful to the pastors of our churches for their guidance and financial assistance in support of Catholic education and Catholic schools. Without their encouragement our schools would not be flourishing as they are. Finally, we are deeply encouraged by the commitment of parents to Catholic education in Florida. Their personal sacrifices to give their children a Catholic education is a further testimony to their good values and their conviction that the best means of handing down the Catholic faith to their children is through a Catholic education.

     As this final decade of the twentieth century begins, let all good people of good will join with us in recognizing the contributions of Catholic schools in Florida and expressing gratitude to these schools and educators for their remarkable contributions to Florida and to the Church.

Edward A. McCarthy
Archbishop of Miami

Thomas J. Grady
Bishop of Orlando

W. Thomas Larkin
Bishop of St. Petersburg

John J. Snyder
Bishop of St. Augustine

J. Keith Symons
Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee

Thomas V. Daily
Bishop of Palm Beach

John J. Nevins
Bishop of Venice

Agustin A. Roman
Auxiliary Bishop of Miami

Norbert M. Dorsey
Auxiliary Bishop of Miam