Catholic educators ask Bush to ease hassle on federal services

Published: 2007-04-16

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Representatives of Catholic schools from Washington, New Orleans, Chicago and Bridgeport, Conn., urged the Bush administration to follow up on the president's stated support for parochial education by making it easier for them to participate in various federal programs. In a private April 13 meeting with a dozen representatives of schools, dioceses and independent Catholic education programs, President George W. Bush heard repeated voices of appreciation for opening up access to some federal education programs to religious schools. However, that thanks was tempered with the polite but oft-repeated complaint that getting government funds for their participation in those programs is often difficult and slow. The 45-minute session in the Roosevelt Room at the White House was informal and conversational, with the educators explaining the challenges of reopening hurricane-flooded New Orleans schools; of starting the corporate-supported Cristo Rey network of Jesuit schools for low-income children; and of getting reimbursement from local public school districts for offering Supplemental Educational Services at Catholic schools in the Bridgeport Diocese.

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