The Mission and Purpose of Catholic Education

Perhaps you have heard; perhaps not.

A Catholic School in Denver refused future enrollment to two students who are in the custody of a lesbian couple.  Of course, the school and Catholic community within the diocese has heard a lot of criticism regarding the matter.  The archbishop's statement can be read here.

For some reason, it is hard for me pinpoint what I think about this. Other than my inclination to trust the decision of the Bishop, I honestly have mixed thoughts.

My very first reaction, before the person who first shared this information with me had even finished, was a positive one. I love when the hard truths of Catholicism are defended at high cost. I was proud of the courage found in this decision.

Then my thoughts became a bit clouded. Are these children being punished (denied an education in the fullness of truth) for the sins of their caretakers? The children have done nothing wrong. In fact, they are so young that they can not have any idea the gravity of the choices being made within their home environment.  By denying them enrollment in the school, is the Church failing to love the sinner? Better yet (because the children are not the sinners), is the Church failing at an opportunity for the evangelization of the children?


Although, there is something to be said for avoiding scandal. In his letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul makes it clear that a person in sin should be removed from the community.  It would be difficult to allow the students to attend the school while keeping the lesbian couple away from the community. In fact, because of the belief in Catholic education that parents are the primary educators of their children, it would be nearly impossible for the School to remain true to that belief - with it comes the necessity of parental involvement.

What it seems to come down to is this: what is the mission and purpose of Catholic schools? If the purpose is (as the bishop of Denver indicates) to create an environment in which children can be educated within the moral boundaries of Catholicism, without worry of outside influence, then, clearly, the correct decision has been made. However, if there is a strong pull for evangelization within the mission, my previous points begin to bear more weight. (...I said that as if I had drawn a direct conclusion...)