Vatican Affirms Process for Reorganization of Catholic Schools
 

The Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education has affirmed that the Diocese of Scranton used a valid process to develop the strategic plan for the reorganization of its schools in order to preserve and advance Catholic education.

The Congregation reviewed the matter in response to an appeal of Bishop Joseph F. Martino’s decision to consolidate the four Catholic high schools in Luzerne County into one site. The appeal was presented in January through Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio in the United States.

In a letter dated March 26, the Congregation said it had thoroughly reviewed the documentation and judged that the recourse (appeal) could not be recognized.

The Congregation said that “The Diocese’s Strategic Plan falls within the diocesan bishop’s competence for the ordinatio generalis of Catholic schools in conformity with the norm of canon 806.1 of the Code of Canon Law. (This canon states that the “diocesan Bishop has the right to watch over and inspect the Catholic schools situated in his territory…He has also the right to issue directives concerning the general regulation of Catholic schools…”)

The letter said that Bishop Martino observed the requirements of canons 50 and 51 before and during the issuance of the decree promulgating the reorganization. These canons require that the person in authority “is to seek the necessary information and proof and, as far as possible, is to consult those whose rights could be harmed…When it is a decision, it should express, at least in summary form, the reasons for the decision.”

The Congregation also noted: “Over and above inconvenience resulting from the decree, provision has been made to ensure the availability of Catholic education. Both the right of Catholic youth to a Catholic education and the right of parents to choose appropriate means for obtaining it have been upheld.”

The Strategic Planning Process began in the fall of 2005 and was coordinated by Meitler Consultants, Inc., a national firm recognized for its expertise in educational planning. Over the course of 17 months, extensive data was collected and analyzed, and numerous meetings were held.

Those sessions involved a Steering Committee (Diocesan officials), Catholic Schools Office personnel, a Task Force (advisory group with members possessing expertise, experience and familiarity with schools), Finance Committee, pastors and principals,
and local government officials.

A key component was the participation of Local Consultative Groups consisting of representatives chosen by each school, including parish leadership, faculty, parents
and students.

The Catholic Schools Office provided updates to these groups on a regular basis,
and voluminous information was published in The Catholic Light, posted on the
Diocesan website, and discussed on CTV: Catholic Television.

In October 2006, Bishop Martino mailed a pastoral letter to all families with students in Catholic schools. The letter discussed the need for a comprehensive reorganization of
the school system and reminded families that a strategic plan was forthcoming.

Meitler Consultants presented its preliminary recommendations to the
aforementioned consultative bodies, and these groups were given the opportunity to provide feedback through a written process.

The consultants reviewed all of the feedback before making their final recommendations to Bishop Martino. After prayerful deliberation, he promulgated the
final reorganization plan earlier this year. Implementation is now well underway in preparation for the 2007-08 school year.

Sister Mary Anne Heenan, CSJ, co-director of Meitler Consultants, Inc., noted
that the firm has assisted 97 dioceses across the country in its 36-year history.

“As a result of that broad experience, we have developed a planning methodology
that has proven effective and which, we believe, combines objectivity, data analysis
and broad experience with local vision and insight,” she said.

“While our process always involves many levels of consultation and broad
dissemination of information, my colleagues and I have not worked with any other
diocese that provided and promoted as much public access to all collected data, observations and draft recommendations on an ongoing basis through the process as
did the Diocese of Scranton. The insistence of the diocese on total transparency and
your use of multiple vehicles to disseminate information will be used by Meitler
Consultants, Inc. in the future when sharing examples of ‘best practices.’”