The Papacy and Public Schools
THE attitude of the papacy toward the public schools in this country is quite specifically set forth in a recently issued pastoral letter by Bishop Canevin to the clergy and laity of the diocese of Pittsburg. The letter lays down the law on the subject to those whom it addresses, which they are admonished not to disobey under penalty of mortal sin. It requires parents to send their children to the parochial school where there is one within two miles from their residence, and if instead they send their children to the public school, they commit mortal sin, and confessors are forbidden to absolve them. If there is no Catholic school within two miles from their residence, they are allowed to send their children to the public school, but the loss of religious training must be made good “by diligent instruction at home and regular attendance at catechism on Sundays and on one other day during each week.” It is decreed that “no pastor can make any exception to these rules, and every person who believes that he has sufficient reasons to send his child to a non-Catholic school must submit his reasons in writing to the bishop.”