(Editor’s Note: The Archdiocesan Synod spent a great deal of time discussing Catholic education and in establishing a deadline of 1972 for accreditation. In the third draft, the synod said the Archdiocesan Board of Education will give every consideration in 1972 to avoid closing any school which is seriously moving toward accreditation. The draft also points out the need for an improved school of religion program and for archdiocesan and parish boards of education with a majority of lay representation.)

The Declaration on Christian Education states that the Council “carefully considered the paramount importance of education in the life of man, and its ever mounting influence on the social progress of this age.” (The Documents of Vatican II, America Press, p. 637) The Declaration goes on to say that “education of the young and even a measure of combined instruction for adults have grown both easier and more urgent in the circumstances of our times. As a result, ever increasing efforts are being everywhere expended to promote the work of education.” (Ibid, p. 638)

To promote its work of education, the Church in Atlanta must examine its scope, which embraces all of its members, and its resources, which are both human and material. In this respect we acknowledge the contributions made in the field of education in the Archdiocese over many years by the Marist School, and more recently D’Youville Academy. The problems of education are universal, but there are aspects to most of the problems that are peculiarly our own. Likewise our situation and our resources are unique. We must, therefore, be guided by national trends and movements, we must employ the most modern methods, and we must utilize the experience of other educators, in public and private school systems. But we must also solve our own problems in our own way, using what talent and experience and personnel are our own.

The recommendations of the Education Committees of the Lay Congress, the Congress of Religious and this Synod, all indicate that there is a consensus of opinion concerning our most serious needs in the area of education. They can be generalized in the following areas: Lay Representation

Boards of Education-Most obvious is the need for a broader base for policy making in the archdiocese’s educational structure. This need can be met only if boards of education, with a majority of lay representation, are established on the archdiocesan and parish level.

The grave problems facing Catholic education must be faced immediately, and the decisions made will determine the general course Catholic education will follow the rest of this century. These decisions must be made by the whole Church, and not just part of it.

Boards of education will concern themselves with all aspects of education - the parochial and diocesan schools, schools of religion and adult education. In the archdiocese and in the parishes they will examine the needs, evaluate the resources, and see that each area is adequately staffed and financed.

Department of Catholic Education - A reorganization of the Department of Catholic Education should be effected as quickly as properly trained personnel become available. The secretary for education would direct a central education office. To the Archdiocesan Board of Education, he would describe the problem areas as they are presented to him by the directors of the five departments. He would see that policies made were properly administered by the departments. The secretary would also represent the archbishop in his relations with the State Department of Education and with public and private educational institutions. Special education, too, would be the concern of the Secretary. Five directors would head the Department of Education, secondary education, adult education, schools of religion and Newman Apostolate which would provide leadership and assistance to parish boards of education.

School Accreditation

Accreditation of Schools - The accreditation of schools by the Southern Association is urgently recommended to each parish school board as its first concern. This accreditation must be accomplished by September 1972. Because the financial condition of each parish is unique, parish boards are to determine their own time schedule within this period. Every consideration will be given by the Archdiocesan Board of Education in 1972 to avoid the closing of any school which is seriously moving toward accreditation. From the beginning of Catholic education in the country, the American hierarchy has insisted that the quality of education in Catholic schools is to be equal or superior to that available in local public schools.

The question of teachers’ salaries and class size are the most urgent. Where parishes are unable to meet minimum standards, the question of the continued existence of the school must be honestly faced by the parish and the archdiocese. A solution for smaller, less affluent parishes might be a pro-rated assessment on all parishes as presently done for our high schools and social services programs. The entire question of central financing for elementary schools should be investigated thoroughly to see what savings it could effect.

It should be emphasized that talk of “phasing out” parochial schools is, at the very least, premature. Thorough and professional religious education in the archdiocese today is best available to approximately half of our children. There can be no thought of discontinuing this massive and effective educational program unless an adequate replacement is possible and available.

Only if the laity, who have in the past made the sacrifices necessary to build the American Catholic school system, indicate they are unwilling or unable to sustain it, must we begin to consider replacing it in its entirety. Most recent research indicates that time is not yet near.

Teaching of Religion - Teachers should use every good and contemporary method of imparting the truths of our religion in the light of sound and fresh theological insights. Regular meetings should be scheduled by school principals to bring parish priests, parents and teachers into a genuine dialogue. These meetings should also be carried on in a warm spirit of cooperation.

Schools of Religion

Catechetical Instruction - The improvement of catechetical instruction must be immediately undertaken. Forty to fifty percent of the young people of the archdiocese are receiving their religious education in schools of religion. In the past these programs have been poorly organized, unprofessionally staffed and completely under-financed.

Because our parochial and diocesan schools are able to educate an ever smaller percentage of our children, this situation becomes more and more urgent. Each board of education should work to see that the quality of religious education received by each child in its parish is as near equal as possible. To this end it should see that the parish school of religion is adequately and professionally staffed, and that it receives a proportionate share of parish financial support.

Adult Education - The changes in the life of the Church and in the patterns of its activities have stimulated a most welcome interest on the part of adult Catholics in the deeper study of their religion. Adult religious education programs are enjoying a great increase in attendance. This is encouraging and at the same time challenging, for renewed efforts must be made to see that sound and stimulating programs are available in the archdiocese. At the same time more and more adult Catholics should be encouraged to take advantage of whatever programs or courses are made available.

Religious education is the concern of parents especially. The revived interest in catechetical instruction and the experiments now being undertaken to improve it, emphasize the fact that if the parents are to be the most important teacher of religious education, then the parents must receive continued religious instruction themselves. It should be the concern of each parish board that adult religious instruction is available in a variety of forms to all adults of the parish.

Newman Apostolate

New Apostolate - The Newman Apostolate shares the Church’s mission to the university world. In both its educational and pastoral programs it must speak to all, bearing the radiant light of Christ, sharing with the whole campus community a concern for faith and good works.

Since almost ninety percent of the graduates of diocesan high schools, and a similar high proportion of public high school graduates are now attending the public and private institutions of higher education, it is urgent that the Church be increasingly concerned for the spiritual care of these young people.

The Newman Apostolate is soon to be one of the largest educational areas in the Church in America. In the archdiocese we must see that the personnel, properly trained and with sufficient resources, is available for this work. New methods should be employed to expand the reach and appeal of the Newman movement. Moreover all members of the Church should be utilized in the movement trained clergy, interested sisters, and distinguished lay members of university faculties.