The “Crisis of Truth” (and the Renewal) in American Catholic Education By Patrick J. Reilly, Papal Visit 2015 Commemorative Issue Patrick J. Reilly is president of The Cardinal Newman Jesuits. Their embrace of secular values and disdain for Society, which promotes and defends faithful Catholic Catholic orthodoxy have contributed substantially to education. the corruption of American society, including Catholic laity. The last time a Pontiff visited America, he urged Cath- olic school and college educators to confront the “con- And our treasured parochial school system is in decline. temporary crisis of truth” that is “rooted in a crisis of In the last 50 years, the number of Catholics in the faith.” United States in- creased nearly two- Speaking at The Catho- thirds to 80 million, but lic University of Amer- the number of students ica in Washington, in Catholic schools de- D.C., Pope Benedict in- clined by more than 60 vited a renewal of fidel- percent. Enrollment in ity, rededication to truth urban areas has de- and recommitment to clined by nearly a third the moral and religious in just the last decade. formation of students — and he rejected In San Francisco, Pope Americans’ radical ver- Francis can find evi- sion of “academic free- dence of another sort dom” which disregards of decline. More than truth and the common Students from Christendom College in Front Royal, Virginia, carry the March 80 percent of the Arch- good. for Life banner in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington January 22, diocese’s high school 2009. It was the 36th annual March for Life. (CNS photo/Bob Rollers) teachers have protested Seven years later, Pope sensible proposals by Francis will visit these same shores, surely aware of Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone that require them to their great heritage of Catholic education. Like his pre- behave morally, so as not to scandalize their students. decessor, Pope Francis will find Catholic education in The problem is with American laity: many adult Cath- crisis: not only a crisis of truth and faith, but also a fight olics — including teachers — are poorly catechized and for survival. Catholic schools and colleges face serious reject certain moral teachings of the Church. financial struggles, a culture that has embraced secular- ism, and dreadful challenges to their religious freedom. So where’s the great hope? It’s found in the growing attention of many Catholic educators to their mission, Even so, the Holy Father might also find much hope in aligned with the Church’s task of evangelization. Bish- American Catholic education. I say “might,” because it ops are implementing stronger teacher standards and depends on where he looks for it, and who is guiding Catholic identity standards, even in the larger diocesan his sight. Just as Pope Francis is adept at finding Christ systems. among the poor and forgotten, he will find that the edu- cation renewal sought by Pope Benedict has taken hold But some of the most exciting fruits of Catholic educa- in very exciting ways — but not always in the most ob- tion are coming from nontraditional services like inde- vious places. pendent Catholic schools and Catholic homeschooling programs. While financial pressures are promoting He won’t find it at many of America’s most prominent greater centralization of parochial school systems, the Catholic universities, including those held by his fellow freedom that independent schools and homeschoolers share allows innovation, new curriculum and textbook development, and discovery of new methods of teach- ing (such as using new technology). Their graduates are highly likely to attend faithful Catholic colleges, ex- plore vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and participate actively in the Church. In Catholic higher education, about 10 percent of Amer- ica’s colleges are now recognized by The Cardinal Newman Society as having a very strong Catholic iden- Founded in 1993, the mission of The Car- tity. Faithful Catholic families are becoming equally fa- dinal Newman Society is to promote and miliar with Ave Maria University, Christendom Col- defend faithful Catholic education. lege and Franciscan University of Steubenville as they are with Notre Dame or Georgetown University. The Society seeks to fulfill its mission by supporting education that is faithful to the The threats to religious freedom in America have had teaching and tradition of the Catholic the positive effect of spurring along efforts to Church; producing and disseminating re- strengthen Catholic identity, lest the religious objec- search and publications on develop- tions of Catholic schools be ignored by the courts. Cath- ments and best practices in Catholic ed- olic institutions are being forced to weigh the moral im- ucation; and keeping Catholic leaders plications of compliance with same-sex marriage or and families informed. health insurance mandates that require coverage of abortion and sterilization, and these issues are discussed The Society is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, in the classroom. nonprofit organization supported by indi- viduals, businesses and foundations. Pope Francis, then, will find that Catholic education in Join the movement for faithful Catholic America, though suffering, is in many ways being education today by making a donation or strengthened. It’s essential that American Catholics fo- signing up for a no-cost membership at cus on forming the next generations to love God and www.cardinalnewmansociety.org. reclaim our culture. The Cardinal Newman Society In this way, Catholic education is an appropriate re- Membership Dept. sponse to all of the subjects that Pope Francis is likely 9720 Capital Ct., Ste. 201 to address during his apostolic visit — by bringing the Manassas, VA 20111 Holy Father’s teaching and the Catholic faith and truth to young Catholics who are in great need of it. (Reprinted with permission. Also published online at http://insidethevatican.com/magazine/culture/snap- shot-the-crisis-of-truth-and-the-renewal-in-american- catholic-education.) Titles Mentioned on Franciscan University Presents “The Catholic University as Witness” with guest, Patrick Reilly Ex corde Ecclesiae by Pope John Paul II. Available on w2.vatican.va. The Idea of a University by John Henry Cardinal Newman. Gateway Editions. The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College. Available on cardinalnewmansociety.org. * Still Point: Loss, Longing, and Our Search for God by Dr. Regis Martin. Ave Maria Press. * Angels and Saints: A Biblical Guide to Friendship With God’s Holy Ones by Dr. Scott Hahn. Image Publishing. * Evangelizing Catholics: A Mission Manual for the New Evangelization by Dr. Scott Hahn. Our Sunday Visitor. * The Beggar’s Banquet: A Personal Retreat on Christ, His Mother, the Spiritual Life, and the Saints by Dr. Regis Martin. Emmaus Road Publishing. *Available through the Franciscan University Bookstore, 1235 University Blvd., Steubenville, OH 43952. 1-888-333-0381, www.franciscan.edu/bookstore. For the free handout mentioned during the show, visit FaithandReason.com or contact us at [email protected] or 1-888-333-0381. View previously aired episodes of Franciscan University Presents at FaithandReason.com. Academically Excellent, Passionately Catholic Steubenville, Ohio, USA 1-800-783-6220, Franciscan.edu .