The Vatican’s Delegation to the UN gave a boost to the rights of parents to direct the educations of their children, including homeschooling. This statement further clarified that portion of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church which pertains to the educational options open to parents.
Parents, struggling to fulfill their vocations, finding home school to be the best choice for their children, rejoiced at the attitude of the Delegation from the Holy See when they read in the statement that the Delegation insisted on the rights of parents to choose homeschooling without interference saying that “they must possess the freedom to do so”. Coming along after a series of attacks on home schooling by diocesan offices, this is a great relief to see in print.
The Catholic school assists parents who have the right and duty to choose schools inclusive of homeschooling, and they must possess the freedom to do so, which in turn, must be respected and facilitated by the State. Parents must cooperate closely with teachers, who, on their part, must collaborate with parents. —Statement by the Holy See Delegation
The key statement is that “they must possess the freedom to do so” ie. to choose homeschooling if that is what they decide is best for their children. The Catholic schools can “assist” but parents “decide” which is the answer to those diocese which would coerce parents by denying them the support given to other educational choices.
Please do go read the entire statement: HERE. I don’t see how they could have been any clearer! LifeSiteNews had comments here: Vatican to the UN: all parents have the right to homeschool.
“That’s huge,” said Jeremiah Lorrig, director of media relations at the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), told LifeSiteNews.com. “Having the support of the Vatican ambassador would invaluable to the homeschool movement.” –LifeSiteNews
I visited the Home School Legal Defense Association site but there is no mention of the Statement there. I hope they read it and post about it. Catholics who belong to HSLDA would probably get a real boost to read on the HSLDA that the Vatican is pro-parents including their right to home school.
Arguments against home school for Catholic parents have surfaced from time to time. I blogged on this topic HERE. I am still sad and upset by the hostile attitude of the diocese of Austin. It does not fit with the documents of the Catholic Church that repeatedly uphold parental responsibilities to include making decisions about the education of their children. I hope that our local Bishop reads this statement. Violations of parental freedom to fulfill their responsibilities do no good and only undermine trust between parents dedicated to their vocations and their Bishop.
Dear Lord, thank You for this clear statement that Catholic social doctrine includes freedom for parents to choose home school. Thank You that there is now a document that spells it out clearly to add to the many fine documents the Church has already published about our vocations as parents. Please bless the HSLDA and our Bishops and help them to use this for good. Amen.