Massachusetts Catholic School Leaders to Meet with Pope
By Ron Sanders
WBZ
April 15, 2008
http://wbztv.com/local/worcester/pope.benedict.america.2.700469.html
Costly settlements in the Church's abuse scandals since 2002 have led to dozens of parishes, including Catholic schools, having to close their doors in Massachusetts.
The Boston Archdiocese just announced the 120-year-old St. Mary Star of the Sea in East Boston will close in June.
This week, several Worcester Catholic school leaders will be meeting with Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to the United States.
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"We believe, as Catholic school leaders, that we really are at a crossroads," said Worcester Catholic Schools Superintendant Stephen Perla.
Perla will be among Catholic educators meeting with Pope Benedict in Washington Thursday.
"I hope he puts a special emphasis on our need to keep a presence in our inner cities," Perla said.
St. Peter's Central Catholic is located in Worcester's main-south neighborhood.
Perla said with 382 students, it remains vibrant after 82 years.
"But like every Catholic school, certainly inner-city schools, it certainly has its financial struggles and that's something we're working on every day," he said.
"The Pope should know that Catholic schools really are making a difference," said fifth-grade teacher Michelle Zimmerman. "Even at this young age, the kids are learning what it means to live a Catholic life."
Worcester Bishop Robert McManus chairs the U.S. Bishops Education Committee that will meet with the Pope. He said he hopes the pontiff echoes their position.
"Because Catholic school education serves the common good of the church and the Catholic community, (and) that its mission should really be supported by the entire catholic community," McManus said.
Whatever the outcome of the Pope's meeting with American Catholic educators, the fervent hope is that schools remain vital so that students can go out into the world and make it better, starting with places like neighborhoods in Worcester.
The presidents of Anna Maria and Assumption Colleges will also meet with the Pope in Washington.
They hope to develop strategic partnerships between Catholic universities, primary and secondary schools.
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