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Vouchers get hey test in Sup reme Court By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — A decision on whether a school voucher program in Cleveland violates the constitutional separation of church and state now rests with the U.S. Supreme Court. Those on both sides of the case before the court say its outcome will have long-term ramifications, either bringing new life to a burgeoning voucher movement or putting a halt to it. Based on some of the comments made by the justices during oral arguments on the issue Feb. 20, Cleveland's voucher program might be considered constitutional as long as parents are offered a wide variety of alternatives for their children beyond just public and religious schools. Alternatives include tutoring programs, magnet schools and community schools, which are public schools separately chartered from the regular school district.
An editorial look at the school voucher issue
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Currently, 96 percent to 99 percent of students who participate in Cleveland's 6-year-old pilot voucher program attend a religious school. Opponents describe this as a government endorsement of religion. A lawyer arguing in favor of the program said the tuition offered to low-income families of up to $2 ,250 per year did not signify government support for the schools parents chose for their children. VOUCHERS, page 15
Catholic school pa nel looks at new strategies
AN APOLOGY AND A PROMISE: Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleville, III , president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued a statement on behalf of the bishops apolog izing to victims of sexual abuse and their families and promising "to protectour youthfr om this kind of abuse." r The text of the statement is on Page 15. ~
The Archdiocese of San Francisco is in the midst of addressing concerns facing Catholic schools, such as teacher retention , Catholic identity, and financial strategies, through a newly formed Strategic Planning Commission. A Feb. 25 update to pastors, principals and school communities says the origin of the commission arose from concerns about declining elementary school enrollment; demographic and socioeconomic trends in the Bay Area, including escalating costs of living and housing; and the movement of families and school personnel outside the Bay Area. Increasing challenges in the recruitment and retention of qualified Catholic school teachers and administrators in an environment of rapidly escalating salaries at other schools are an additional consideration. Archbishop William J. Levada said the commission is to act in a consultative role to advise him and the superintendent of Catholic schools. The panel has been directed to recommend: ÂŤ actions to stabilize Catholic schools over the long term and to assure their availability to all. SCHOOL PANEL, page 5
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Fighting for affordable housing
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The News in Brief
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'Welcoming the Stranger' . . 7
Weaving love for kids in every stitc h ~ Pages 10-11 ~
Capsule f ilm reviews ~ Page 17 ~
Cross: sign of God's unconditional love
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Praying Passion six minutes a day
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