Ep. 165: Scout chaplains, charter schools and Candy Crush
Jun 1, 2024
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JD and Ed discuss conflict over a chaplain in German scouting, Catholic school sexual assault allegations, a priest addicted to phone games. They explore charter schools' impact on education and governance challenges in diocesan Catholic schools.
Importance of compliance with safe environment protocols in Catholic schools
Challenges in managing Catholic schools by external nonprofit organizations
Need for better support systems and accountability mechanisms for clergy facing personal struggles
Deep dives
Allegations of Sexual Assault in a Catholic School
A former teacher at a Catholic school in East Harlem, New York, was arrested for alleged serial sexual assault against a student in seventh and eighth grade. The criminal complaint implied that these incidents took place at the school. The tragic situation raised questions about compliance with safe environment protocols and oversight. The school, managed by a nonprofit organization, highlighted issues of accountability, governance, and the complex relationships between the school, parish, and diocese.
Catholic School Management by Nonprofit Organizations
Several schools in the Archdiocese of New York operate under nonprofit organizations that manage their policies, personnel, and budget. These organizations sign operational agreements with the school and parish, exerting significant control over day-to-day operations. The arrangement raises concerns about canonical ambiguities, pastoral oversight, and the delineation of authority between the parish, diocese, and managing entities.
Canonical Ambiguities and Pastoral Oversight
The management of Catholic schools by external nonprofit organizations poses challenges in maintaining clear lines of authority, accountability, and operational control. The involvement of third-party entities in school governance raises questions about the parish's role as the governing body of an apostolate. The delegation of management responsibilities to external groups creates complex relationships that impact pastoral oversight, risk management, and institutional accountability.
Priestly Influence in School Management
There has been a shift in the way schools affiliated with dioceses are managed, with laypeople advocating for a more business-like approach. This change has led to schools being run as separate entities with operational control sometimes falling outside the direct authority of bishops. The trend is observed mainly in larger dioceses, predominantly in the East Coast. While some see this shift as a risk management strategy due to liability considerations, others question the implications for the overall governance and Catholic identity of these schools.
Financial Accountability and Priestly Challenges
The case of Father Larry Kozak from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia highlights financial accountability issues faced by priests. Father Kozak faces charges for allegedly embezzling funds through in-app purchases, mostly on cell phone games, totaling around $41,000. His situation raises questions about the impact of personal struggles, such as addiction, in the clergy and the need for better support systems and accountability mechanisms within the diocese to address such challenges effectively.
JD and Ed talk about conflict over the appointment of a chaplain for the German scouting association. They talk about the complicated canonical status of a Catholic school in Harlem, where allegations of serial sexual assault by a teacher surfaced this week. Then, they talk about a Philadelphia priest who fell into extreme phone game addiction.
This episode of The Pillar Podcast is sponsored by Seton Home Study School. Seton makes Catholic education affordable and available everywhere.
