Catholic, Orthodox Jewish leaders urge school choice

Published: 2006-11-09

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- At a recent meeting in New York, Catholic and Orthodox Jewish leaders urged policies promoting school choice and expressed concern about several developments in the Middle East. The Consultation of Delegates of the Rabbinical Council of America/Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations and the Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops met Oct. 25 at America House, a Jesuit residence in Manhattan. In a joint statement the participants said that "'school choice' is an issue of justice." The statement, released in November by the USCCB's communications office in Washington, said, "Western civilization has long recognized the fundamental right of parents, as well as their sacred responsibility, to guide the upbringing and education of their children." The participants said, "We join together to call upon our elected and appointed officials to implement policies which will empower all parents to choose schools for their children which they believe best serve each child's own individual educational needs."

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