One might think Catholic schools - institutions designed to assist in the formation young Catholics' minds - would embody righteousness, compassion & mercy. However, one who thought this might be unpleasantly surprised. Take for example, the following recent news items...
* An audit commissioned by the Archdiocese of Seattle concluded that a Seattle Catholic school misused $200K. The teacher who "blew the whistle" concerning the misuse of funds was reportedly fired for his actions ("his teaching contract was not renewed") and he is still out of work. [Date: 8/21/10]
* Notre Dame fires "loyal Catholic" administrator; Professor links termination to administrator's opposition to 2009 Obama honor [Date: 9/3/10]
* A Catholic school in India has dismissed a teacher who was accused of "having offended the religious sentiments of students" over a test question which included a character named Mohammed. After the initial Muslim outcry, the teacher was attacked by "Islamic radicals" who cut off his hand and inflicted other injures. The teacher - who forgave his attackers and is still reportedly in serious condition - was dismissed by the Catholic school without benefits or pension [Date: 9/7/10]
How can institutions calling themselves Catholic so shamefully mistreat Catholic employees? Should we not expect much more from Catholic organizations? Wouldn’t even many secular institutions better treat their employees?
Incidents such as these have a significant impact not only on the lives of the those directly involved but likely also on students and others who work at the institutions. For example, the firing of the Notre Dame administrator who opposed the Obama honor - an administrator who, by the way, was in the process of adopting a child at the time he was fired - is already expected to have a "chilling effect" on the staff [one Notre Dame professor wrote that "A number of other administrators have told me that in light of (the administrator's) treatment, they will in the future keep their heads down rather than dissent from the policies of the central administration"].
Actions such as those above seem unworthy of Catholic schools. Do they not deeply hurt innocent people, cause scandal, and send a very bad message? And in the long run, might they even lead to poor quality education as faithful Catholics choose not to work for Catholic schools for fear of reprisals? Will good Catholics want to dedicate many years of their lives to Catholic education if they risk suffering severe, unjust, career-ending, life-altering blows for no good reason - or as a punishment for doing the right thing?
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