Opinion: Opening Catholic schools to in-person classes is immoral amid pandemic
The Archdiocese of Louisville should be ashamed of itself. Opening schools to in-person classes is immoral.
Starting in pre-K, I have spent my entire life in Catholic schools, and it inspired me to pursue further degrees in Catholic theology. After obtaining my BA in theology, I spent several successful years as a theology teacher and campus minister for a Louisville Catholic high school. That experience inspired me to continue my education and obtain a master's degree in theology. My love for the Catholic Church, her mission and her people is unwavering. Yet, I believe that the decision to reopen schools to in-person learning is immoral, unnecessary, unjust, and it directly contradicts the church's teachings.
Officials:Archdiocese of Louisville schools will resume in-person instruction in August
In a letter written to Catholic school leaders on Aug. 12, Leisa Schulz, superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Louisville, announced the decision to reopen schools to in-person learning. In her letter, Schulz quotes the Catechism of the Catholic Church and its respect for the dignity of the human body as an image of God (CCC, 364), and the truth that "Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good" (2288). Yet, in her defense of these "goods," she fails to support the Archdiocese reasoning with sound theological reasoning.
In her defense of reopening the schools, she quotes parents and not teachers, staff or school administrators for the school's "readiness" and "confidence" in reopening schools. In her defense of reopening schools, she cites concern for the "spiritual, social, emotional and academic progress" of students, yet neglects concerns for the welfare of students' health, dismisses the academic research that supports the effectiveness of online learning, and undermines the creativity of the Spirit that unites people even through a digital medium. In her defense of reopening schools, she mentions working with the Louisville Metro Public Health Department but fails to mention the governor's recent recommendation to delay in-person learning until Sept. 28 due to the rise in the infection rate among children in Kentucky and across the country.
More:Gov. Andy Beshear: Kentucky schools should wait to start in-person classes until Sept. 28
Catholic Schools are meant to be mission-driven institutions that instill values, establish community, foster friendships and create safe, inclusive spaces for all people. These mission-driven institutions are harbingers of faith, truth and reason.
Reopening Catholic schools unravels and undermines the values, mission and foundation of their institutions. Reopening Catholic schools places profits over people. Reopening Catholic schools contradicts their values. Reopening Catholic schools creates unsafe working, learning and living conditions. Reopening Catholic schools undermines the mission-driven charisms of each institution.
Catholic institutions pride themselves with "caring for the whole person." By choosing to reopen the schools, I wonder how careful are they considering the safety of the whole person over the safety of their tuition dollars?
As a teacher and student, the idea of returning to on-campus learning is, in short, terrifying. To expect students and teachers to be guinea pigs in the uncharted and unsafe territory is asinine, degrading and cowardice. Other options exist that do not involve bringing the entire student body to campus. In Matthew 25, Jesus says that we will be judged on the care we provide to others. On the same day that the Archdiocese of Louisville announced its decision to reopen schools (Aug. 12), Pope Francis, in his General Audience, remarked how this coronavirus pandemic has revealed how often "human dignity is ignored."
By reopening Catholic schools, the Archdiocese of Louisville reveals that they ignore human dignity and the safety of their students, faculty and staff, in favor of lining their pockets with tuition dollars. Shame on the Archdiocese of Louisville.
Bobby Nichols is a former theology teacher and campus minister at a Louisville Catholic high school. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in Catholic Theology from Villanova University.