Are Catholic schools a good place for faithful Catholics to work?

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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Recent News Highlights: Catholic Schools

The following are some recent news highlights involving Catholic schools...

* A loaded gun was confiscated from a locker at a Catholic high school in McKeesport, PA after students reported the weapon to the school's principal. The student suspected of carrying the gun was "removed by police", suspended, and faces criminal charges & possible expulsion. A diocesan official said the incident involved a student enrolled in a "special needs" program

* A science teacher who taught at a Catholic school in the U.K. was recently cleared of attempted murder over his attack of a teenager. The student ("described as a 'leading light' when it came to causing trouble") reportedly wrestled with and cursed the teacher before the incident. The teacher (who apparently "suffered years of abuse by students") was described as "previously a man of 'impeccable character'", although he had recently suffered from stress-related problems & was reportedly "in a fragile state of health" at the time of the incident. Reportedly, the teacher "cracked after provocation" by students and struck a male student with a weight while shouting "die". The student suffered a fractured skull, and the teacher admitted to causing him "grievous bodily harm" (although he claims it was without intent). The teacher spent months in jail after the incident and now awaits sentencing. The case has caused some teachers to speak out against students' bad behavior at school - which they say has "become worse" over recent years - claiming that situations may be "incredibly damaging" for staff and can "easily spiral out of control"

* A lesbian teacher at a Catholic school in Canada was informed that she "could not return to her job" after she applied for "parental leave" to be with her "partner" and her "partner's" new baby. Although the lesbian violated the "Catholicity" clause she signed (in which she promised to "demonstrate a respectful and sympathetic sensitivity to the aims and nature of the school and to the Catholic beliefs and practices of the school"), she will reportedly continue to receive pay from the school until the end of June. The case has sparked freedom of religion debates [Also See: Defending the Indefensible | Catholic education begins at home]

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