Government Money Always Has Strings
The Friendly Atheist and I agree even if for different reasons
One of the columns I enjoy reading here on Substack.com is The Friendly Atheist. He actually presents an outsiders’ view of realities in the Church and does have some good takes on political issues in the religious sphere.
Recently, he wrote about a lawsuit filed by two parishes suing the State of Colorado.
Colorado funds pre-kindergarten programs for four-year-olds and schools can receive state funds to operate their programs for free.
Now I should say here that The Friendly Atheist believes in separation of church and state. I believe in separation of state and church. So between the two of us, we believe the church should not take state funds. I don’t know whether we agree on why but we agree on this.
If you take state funds, make sure you can accommodate the strings attached
If you take state funds, then you must accommodate your program to the attached strings. If you cannot do that, do not take state funds. There are always strings attached.
Mr. Atheist, of course, writes from an outsider’s perspective and I, though not part of the Archdiocese of Denver, had some interactions separated by one degree with some in it. That is a story for another time.
The Archdiocese of Denver stated that parishes may not participate in this program because they cannot agree to the non-discrimination clause required by Colorado. Specifically, due to those requirements not to exclude any applicants because of “sexual and gender identity issues.”
The problem, I read, from multiple sources, is that the parishes want to be able to determine whom they can accept to attend their schools and whom they can exclude based on Catholic teaching. There is nothing fundamentally illegal about this. Everyone has the freedom to admit whomever they want in any environment. This same issue raised about a privately funded parade in Boston received support from 9 of 9 Supreme Court judges in 1995.
Two parishes are suing the State of Colorado
The two parishes are suing to receive an exemption from this funding requirements so that they may receive government funding for their specific preschool program. This means, if they are successful, they would continue to receive funding from Colorado while also having the right to determine who can and cannot enter their pre-k program. Currently, they are bringing this case through the courts and it could end up before the Supreme Court. Both Mr. Atheist and I believe: if you take government funds, you have to play by government rules. This is the way the world works. If you do not take government funds, you are free to follow your own rules.
There is no middle ground there. If you believe that the government requires you to undermine your values when you accept their funds, do not accept their funds period. I dealt with various non-profits some of which never take federal or state subsidies just so they do not have to deal with the strings attached.
Catholic pre-k programs of the Archdiocese of Denver will have to charge and that will mean they will have to compete against the free programs.
Need to charge? Then add value
If a parish will have to charge tuition, then it will have to add value that cannot be found in a free program. This is also the way the world works. They are free to teach their students Catholic doctrine all they want because there are no government restrictions. They can teach their children to pray, to understand Catholic sacramental life and to live in ways the Church teaches.
The parishes can ask for an exemption but should they? No. Honestly, I would not want to be part of a parish that accepted money from the state on the grounds they could implement their exemption. It really speaks against the message of the Church.
If you truly believe in what you believe, then you will sacrifice in order to believe in it.
However, this also means that the schools cannot help those families that cannot afford anything but a free pre-k program, unless it looks for other forms of funding. They actually should.
This brings me to something Mr. Atheist did not mention, he possibly did not notice. The parishes suing are suburban parishes which tend to be richer. I am sure if they were able, the inner-city Catholic schools would accept the money and the strings because they recognize just how important free preK can help families that truly struggle to get by. The suburban parishes do not face this reality as much as other neighborhoods in more urban areas.
I see that the Archdiocese is taking a stand. Catholics have certain beliefs that we hold to and we cannot compromise. Therefore, Catholic parishes cannot take government money if it comes with strings that undermine those values. The Archdiocese may also work with legislators to come up with a change in the strings. However, once the law is set in place, that is the law and asking for an exemption does not play well with those who must play by the rules.
Mr. Atheist and I agree in many ways, in others we do not. However, here is one point in which we agree. If you accept government money, you accept the strings attached. If you do not want to accept the strings then do not accept the money.
The Archdiocese of Boston many years ago closed its adoption program because it could not place children with same-sex parents which the state required. This was the solution they implemented.
Seeking exemptions does not work
It is a sad situation but that is the environment we live in, and seeking exemptions just does not work. It creates unanticipated policy. Remember, the minute exceptions come in place, anyone who accepts those exceptions cannot complain. If the Satanists chose to open a school under the same conditions that the Catholics did after a presumedly successful court decision, then no one could complain. It is better to find an alternative source of funding, otherwise the outcome may be not to your liking and you will have only yourselves to blame.
If you believe the Archdiocese should offer a free program for pre-k students, then help them to fund one. May I suggest starting with the poorest members of the society.
If you know the Catholic Worker Movement well, you will understand they act on their beliefs and I learned long ago, if you need funding begin by praying for it. Also find out if the money used for court costs could instead help in paying for a free program.
Fr. Robert J Carr is pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Allston, MA
The parish podcast is at https://catholicaudiomedia.com