About 50 supporters of Catholic education gathered in front of the Cathedral yesterday to voice their frustration over the closing of 13 Catholic schools in Monroe County. The site of the protest was a bit ironic as it took place across the street from the former Sacred Heart elementary school which was closed down only several years ago. That building is now being leased by the City of Rochester School District. Many in the crowd were wondering if their school buildings would also be leased or sold to secular institutions. There was some speculation that this possibility may be the unspoken agenda behind at least some of the school closings.

One of the key points of frustration for the protesters is the lack of information regarding the decision making process surrounding the closings. The plan was contrived behind closed doors and no one from the diocese seems especially anxious to share information about the process with the Catholic faithful.

In this era of Vatican II, it seems particularly egregious for the diocese to be so secretive and paternalistic. We are constantly told that this is the age of the laity but this process has made a mockery of that claim. Treating adults like children would certainly not seem to be in keeping with Vatican II.

Another concern expressed by the protesters is the uncertainty over the fate of their children in September. There appears to be no organized registration process that can assure parents of their child’s placement for next year. The diocese will not even assure them that there is enough space available at the remaining schools for the displaced students.

It may be that the diocese is counting on a low rate of re-enrollment for the displaced students in order to make their plan functional. Their projection of only about 1,000 students re-enrolling may be wishful thinking on their part. If all 2,000 displaced students re-enroll then there may not be enough room for all of them at the remaining schools. If there is enough room, then who knows how far they will have to travel to get back and forth to school. And all this in the midst of a diocesan campaign about climate change. Does busing students all over Monroe County really make sense when the diocese is telling us about the dangers of burning fossil fuels?

Hopefully these abused parents will not give up their fight. At the very least, they should be given detailed information about the criteria that was used in the selection of these 13 schools for closure. If they don’t, then rest assured that this pattern of deconstruction will be repeated several years down the road.

It is not too late to take a stand. The doors of secrecy should be pried open to let in the light of day. Treat these faithful Catholics like adults-in the Spirit of Vatican II.