Archbishop James P. Lyke, in an interview Dec. 5, said that any change in present school subsidy formulas is a long way off, although the pressure upon Catholic schools financially is very real.

“More and more pastors and finance councils are worried as to whether Catholic schools will be affordable in the future,” he said. “Many lay people as well have expressed this concern since they perceive Catholic schools as quickly becoming schools for the well-to-do. Thus, I established a committee to make some initial inquiries.”

“The committee came back with a recommendation that I do not consider complete. Accordingly I have asked the committee to research several alternative and non-traditional ways in which Catholic schools can be financially viable and more parents could afford them.

“Since I do not consider the present recommendation sufficient I have not publicized it widely. When other alternatives are researched and proposed, I plan to have a very broad consultation within the entire archdiocese,” he added.

“I cannot envision any change in the present policy sooner than the school year of 1993-94, even if then. I say this because of the needed research and broad consultation with the people.

“A final point is that since 1970 I have strongly urged that Catholics get behind a system of vouchers for Catholic parents. I have long been persuaded that Catholic schools cannot continue without parents receiving their share of the educational tax dollar. In two recent public appearances I addressed the question of tuition vouchers, first at the National Congress on Catholic Schools in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 8 and more recently in questions and answer period following an address to the Atlanta Hungry Club Forum.” (A copy of the full text of the archbishop’s address to the National Congress on Catholic Schools may be obtained at The Georgia Bulletin, 680 West Peachtree St., N.W., Atlanta.)