Diocese of Scranton making list of supportive parents
The following article appeared in the Scranton Times Tribune on Februray 12, 2009:
Diocese of Scranton making list of supportive parents
The Diocese of Scranton is asking its school principals to compile lists of parents who oppose allowing teachers to unionize and are willing to voice their opinion to state legislators.
The diocese has stated the passing of House Bill 26, which would expand state labor laws to cover lay teachers in religiously affiliated schools, “will mean the end of Catholic schools” in the diocese. Since January 2008, Bishop Joseph F. Martino has refused to recognize the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers as a collective bargain- ing unit and has instead implemented an employee-relations program.
The letter, sent to principals this week by school superintendent Joseph G. Casciano, states John M. Dougherty, auxiliary bishop, has “asked that each school have parents contact their respective legislator and ask him/her to refrain from supporting this bill since we love our schools and wish them to continue into the future.“They do not have to take a position of support for or against unions but rather that we are seeking the assistance of the legislators to allow this matter to resolve itself in time.”
The principals are asked to forward the lists of the diocesan office “ASAP.”News of the letter sparked outrage among some parents who support the teachers’ union effort. Some parents said they fear they will be “blacklisted” if they fail to speak out against the bill.
“Maybe we should just sign the blacklist,” said Sharon Hourigan, spokeswoman for a parents group that supports the teachers’ union efforts. “It’s outrageous.”
William Genello, diocesan spokesman, denied there would be any type of “blacklist,” and officials simply want to be able to provide parents interested in speaking out against the bill with information.“There was no intention to coerce anyone or intimidate anyone,” Mr. Genello said.
“Principals will be talking to parents who have expressed concern.”After Ms. Hourigan was forwarded a copy of the letter, she forwarded it to a couple hundred parents. Ms. Hourigan pulled her daughter out of Holy Redeemer High School before this school year, but is still the spokeswoman for the parent group supporting the teachers’ efforts to unionize.
Parents said the principal-made lists would force them to declare whether they were for or against not only the bills, but the rights of the teachers.Robert Suchoski, whose daughter is a freshman at Holy Redeemer, said he was “fed up and disgusted” by the latest move by the diocese.“I think it’s despicable,” he said.
Other parents also expressed outrage, and questioned the diocese’s involvement in a political matter.
Rob Boston, a spokesman for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said even though the diocese is asking parents to become involved politically by writing letters, laws regard its tax-exemption status are not being violated.The laws apply strictly to supporting candidates, and not the issues, Mr. Boston said.
Diocese of Scranton making list of supportive parents
The Diocese of Scranton is asking its school principals to compile lists of parents who oppose allowing teachers to unionize and are willing to voice their opinion to state legislators.
The diocese has stated the passing of House Bill 26, which would expand state labor laws to cover lay teachers in religiously affiliated schools, “will mean the end of Catholic schools” in the diocese. Since January 2008, Bishop Joseph F. Martino has refused to recognize the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers as a collective bargain- ing unit and has instead implemented an employee-relations program.
The letter, sent to principals this week by school superintendent Joseph G. Casciano, states John M. Dougherty, auxiliary bishop, has “asked that each school have parents contact their respective legislator and ask him/her to refrain from supporting this bill since we love our schools and wish them to continue into the future.“They do not have to take a position of support for or against unions but rather that we are seeking the assistance of the legislators to allow this matter to resolve itself in time.”
The principals are asked to forward the lists of the diocesan office “ASAP.”News of the letter sparked outrage among some parents who support the teachers’ union effort. Some parents said they fear they will be “blacklisted” if they fail to speak out against the bill.
“Maybe we should just sign the blacklist,” said Sharon Hourigan, spokeswoman for a parents group that supports the teachers’ union efforts. “It’s outrageous.”
William Genello, diocesan spokesman, denied there would be any type of “blacklist,” and officials simply want to be able to provide parents interested in speaking out against the bill with information.“There was no intention to coerce anyone or intimidate anyone,” Mr. Genello said.
“Principals will be talking to parents who have expressed concern.”After Ms. Hourigan was forwarded a copy of the letter, she forwarded it to a couple hundred parents. Ms. Hourigan pulled her daughter out of Holy Redeemer High School before this school year, but is still the spokeswoman for the parent group supporting the teachers’ efforts to unionize.
Parents said the principal-made lists would force them to declare whether they were for or against not only the bills, but the rights of the teachers.Robert Suchoski, whose daughter is a freshman at Holy Redeemer, said he was “fed up and disgusted” by the latest move by the diocese.“I think it’s despicable,” he said.
Other parents also expressed outrage, and questioned the diocese’s involvement in a political matter.
Rob Boston, a spokesman for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said even though the diocese is asking parents to become involved politically by writing letters, laws regard its tax-exemption status are not being violated.The laws apply strictly to supporting candidates, and not the issues, Mr. Boston said.
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