Social Injustice

Having taught at a Catholic school for fifteen years, I experienced many wonderful things.  I was blessed to have known the hundreds of students in my care, as well as colleagues who helped me to become a better teacher and human being.

But there were, sadly, also many things I witnessed that were disheartening and often infuriating.  I refer mainly to the hypocrisy of those in the hierarchy of the academic institutions.  There was no shortage of administrators who would use a veneer of Catholicism as a means of attracting potential “customers,” but then fail to genuinely implement and transmit the teachings of the faith.

I could write a book about the heterodox and heretical positions that were permitted and even supported by administrators.  It's bad enough when it's coming from the laity, but when deacons and priests are encouraging students to pray for the ordination of women (just to cite one example), you know things are in really bad shape.  It’s further deflating when authorities in the diocese, including the bishops themselves, allow the corruption of young souls to continue unchallenged.  Meanwhile, faculty who were unapologetic in their orthodoxy were very often the ones who were the subjects of suspicion, ridicule, and even persecution.  Like I said, I could write a book about those years, and perhaps someday I shall.  But for now, I want to just touch upon one specific issue that pertains to the principles of Catholic social justice.

One of my colleagues was a brilliant teacher who helped to bring about the conversion of many students through the study of literature, history, philosophy, and, yes, even geometry.  He was one of the hardest working individuals I’ve ever known, and he was greatly respected by his students and their parents.  He also happened to be the sole-income provider for a family with nine children.  Though he was often at odds with the administration (often over theological matters in which he was on the correct side), he was still tolerated due to his popularity with tuition-paying families.

One year, the school was having serious budget issues.  Perhaps this was the result of purchasing a million dollar turf football field, or the various forms of financial mismanagement.  There was never transparency about such things, so I couldn’t say with certainty.  Well, the administration decided to do some pruning.  Many of the senior faculty (whose salaries were higher than those of junior teachers) were let go.  Interestingly, it was those faculty members who frequently clashed with administrators who were the ones targeted for termination.  Practically all of the younger faculty, most of whom were single (though some openly in cohabitational situations), were kept on staff.  Meanwhile, those with families to support were let go.  That part of the equation seemed to not even register with those making life-altering decisions that would have a lasting impact on others.

Ironally, the topic of “social justice” would always come up whenever it would suit the image of the institution.  When it came to raising money for causes or requiring students to donate food, the school was always sure to issue the accompanying press releases to remind the community of just how pious and charitable we were.  But when it came to the treatment of its own faculty and students, social justice be damned.