In an interview with the Detroit Free Press, Tom Monaghan, rightwing Catholic extraordinaire, had this to say about Catholic schools: "The worst thing you can do is send your kids to a Catholic school if you want them to retain their faith.” Really? Mr. Monaghan should come to the Catholic schools here in Washington, or to the Catholic school in Connecticut where my niece is getting a fine education, or to Catholic schools nationwide that do a wonderful job helping young Catholics retain their faith. He should have come with me to St. Bernard's Catholic High School in Connecticut, where I spoke with a group of very bright and engaged students, and note how many vocations that school has produced. Maybe he should go to one of the dioceses where Catholic schools are closing and suggest to the devoted parishioners fighting to keep their school open, and explain to them why their efforts are misguided.
Monaghan is a scourge on the Catholic faith. The only Catholic school I would never send a child of mine to is his Ave Maria University, which has been embroiled in controversies, financial and otherwise, since its opening.
