by Bishop James Conley
In “The Holy See’s Teaching on Catholic Schools” Archbishop J. Michael Miller says, “Catholic schools participate in the Church’s evangelizing mission of bringing the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Particularly they are places for the evangelization of the young. As ecclesial institutions, they are the privileged environment in which Christian education is carried out.”
These words remind me how we are blessed in the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln with a rich history of Catholic education. Nebraska is likewise blessed because Catholic education is as integral a part of the state’s history as it is essential to its present. Invested parents, committed educators, and the influence of priests and religious sisters have formed young souls with fidelity to Church teaching, while creating a tradition of academic and civic excellence second to none.
If, as Saint Irenaeus said, “The glory of God is the human person fully alive,” then our schools embody the work of harmonizing a virtuous and productive earthly existence with a heart fully committed to Christ. In short, our schools are in the business of forming young people who are fully alive!
The opportunity to access such an education should be available to all who desire it. Sadly, while 49 other states had passed some form of school choice legislation over the past 30 years, Nebraska had not. And so, for decades, Nebraska families were deprived of the same opportunity availed by hundreds of thousands of families around the country (and the world!).
That is why this spring’s historic passage and signing into law of LB753, “The Opportunity Scholarships Act,” created a flurry of celebration and media attention. It also presents us with a unique occasion to discuss how we can protect educational opportunity for fellow Nebraskans who cannot access the good work of our schools.
Sadly, misinformation about the “Opportunity Scholarships Act” continues to be promulgated by opponents. A group called “Support Our Schools” is in the midst of an effort to repeal “Opportunity Scholarships.” Their desire to take educational opportunity away from families denies both a fundamental parental right, and more than 30 years of research showing the benefits of school choice to children and families.
While that data is important and revealing, it is also validation of the long-held Church teaching regarding the role of parents as the primary educators who have the “right to choose a school for them which corresponds to their own conviction. This right is fundamental… and public authorities have the duty of guaranteeing this parental right.…” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2227-2229).
In other words, before “school choice” and “parental rights” were societal buzzwords, they were bedrock teachings of the Catholic Church. Perhaps this is why most countries with a substantial Christian population support parents, children, and faith-based education with financial assistance. Too often, Catholic Americans fail to appreciate that they have a political and civil right to choose the education that is right for their children. The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church even goes so far as to state that “the refusal to provide public economic support to nonpublic schools that need assistance and that render a service to civil society is be considered an injustice.”
Now that school choice is finally a reality in Nebraska, we must protect the right of parents to choose the best school for their child. Our mission becomes all the more pressing as the “Opportunity Scholarships Act” prioritizes the poor and vulnerable. In protecting school choice, we are really doing “double duty” as Catholics: We empower parents as the primary educators of their children, even as we champion educational opportunity for those without access or means.
As your bishop, I am committed to this work. I am proud to join Omaha’s Archbishop George Lucas and Grand Island’s Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt in the effort. Each of our dioceses is distributing resources created jointly with the help of the Nebraska Catholic Conference. In the coming weeks and months, you will see advocacy items and information for parishes and schools. Here are a few ways you can help protect educational opportunity:
• Become informed and educated on the issue. While this is always our civic responsibility, with so much misinformation and obfuscation, it is vital to get to the truth. Visit www.NECatholic.org/keepkidsfirst to get clarity on LB753.
• Politely “decline to sign” the opponent petition being presented by the so-called “Support Our Schools” opposition.
• We are looking for school and parish “School Choice Captains.” This local leadership is essential to our efforts. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity and send questions and interest to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• Visit www.keepkidsfirstnebraska.com to learn how you can engage in the fight for educational freedom.
I have said before, brothers and sisters, that God made us for these times. He has lovingly created each one of us to play an important role in his divine plan. We are called to actively participate in the Body of Christ using the special charisms and gifts he has given us.
The moment presented to us, in defense of educational opportunity, requires prayer and reflection about how each of us will use the gifts with which we are blessed. “For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another (Rom. 2:4-5).” Please prayerfully consider how you can help protect each child’s one opportunity for the education that is best for that student.
Editor's note: read more about the Opportunity Scholarships Act.
