Parents and families in the Archdiocese of Chicago rallied over the weekend to protest the archdiocese’s decision to close six Catholic schools, saying the archdiocese ignored parishioners’ input and has not been transparent about the closure.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the archdiocese said in January the six school closures stem from declining enrollment and financial troubles. Among the schools slated for closure later this year is St. Hubert, a 65-year-old school. Families at St. Hubert have made several efforts to save the school, including creating a coalition and commissioning an independent financial analysis. The families say the analysis found the school can continue operating for the next five years or be “cash-flow positive” in two years if certain measures are taken, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Parents and families continued their efforts to persuade the archdiocese and Cardinal Blaise Cupich to reconsider the decision with a rally Feb. 22, demonstrating in front of Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral and the archdiocese’s office. However, the archdiocese’s Office of Catholic Schools told the Chicago Sun-Times after the protest that “There are no plans to revisit those decisions.”
“Many people have worked hard at each school to raise money and try to boost enrollment,” the office said. “We recognize and value those efforts but, in the end, the schools were not able to close the gaps, and they are no longer sustainable.”
Parents expressed frustration with the archdiocese. Michelle Flowers, a St. Hubert parent, explained that the Feb. 22 statement is the first time the families have heard from them.
“They have not given us any meaningful opportunity to communicate with them. … Catholic schools are not meant to operate as balance sheets,” she said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. “If the archdiocese isn’t even willing to come to the table, that represents an abandonment of a mission.”
Another St. Hubert parent, Jillian Bernas Garcia, said the situation represents a lack of transparency and called for “true cooperation between the hierarchy and faithful.”
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, parents have raised more than $20,000 of its $500,000 goal to keep St. Hubert open. If all else fails, parents have said they will appeal to the Vatican.