Parents' rights

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | May 09, 2003

To my mind, the most outrageous aspect of the Boston archdiocesan program is that it is mandatory. Parochial-school parents do not have any say as to whether or not their children will be involved. This is a clear and direct violation of Church teachings that the parents should be the primary educators of their children, especially when sensitive matters such as sexuality are involved.

We now know that for 20 years or so, when parents complained about the behavior of some priests, chancery officials shushed them, insisting that they, the clerics, knew how to handle such problems, and didn't need or want advice from the laity. We know where that got us. So now how does the archdiocese propose to rebuild confidence? By ignoring the laity, because they-- the clerics-- know best. What would mere parents know about ensuring the safety of their children?