The Catholic school’s proper function is to create for the school community a special atmosphere animated by the Gospel spirit of freedom and charity, to help youth grow according to the new creatures they were made through baptism as they develop their own personalities, and finally to order the whole of human culture to the news of salvation so that the knowledge the students gradually acquire of the world, life and man is illumined by faith.”
Pope Paul VI
October 28, 1965
The Catholic Church is the largest non-governmental provider of education in the world. The Church established countless universities in America and worldwide, and its parochial schools are one of the most sought-after options for children in low-income neighborhoods. Catholic schools are open to people of all faiths and backgrounds, and Catholic educators and school administrators leave a lasting mark on the countless students they help to shape. Once heralded as a national treasure, Catholic schools have become the latest target of a movement to undermine religious liberty nationwide. Catholic schools face legal threats for carrying out their mission according to their most basic religious tenets and Catholic educators face intimidation and legal harassment for merely teaching students Catholic doctrine. TCA defends the rights of Catholic schools and educators to practice their faith in education.
