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Greetings!
We begin Catholic Schools Week at a consequential moment in this nation’s history. This week seeks to celebrate the gift of the Catholic school and the ministry of Catholic education. We also give thanks for all who make this ministry possible: our parishes, community, students, nation, faculty and staff, our families, and the broader civic life of our nation.
Our Catholic schools depend on those we celebrate, and those communities, in turn, are formed and strengthened by the schools themselves. In particular, I am mindful of the gift Catholic schools have been to this country, teaching and forming generations of students in what it means it means to be a well-formed citizen.
Yesterday, Archbishop Etienne published a pastoral letter titled, A Well-Ordered Society Rooted in Truth, Justice, and Peace. The letter reflects on the “turbulent times [in which we find ourselves] — marked by conflict abroad, fragmentation at home, and profound questions about our shared moral life” – through the lens of our Catholic Social Teaching.
I strongly encourage each of you to take time in the coming days to read this letter and to share it widely with your communities. It remains my conviction that our Catholic schools are more important today than ever. Our schools create a space where our students are taught the importance of listening and dialogue, even when those activities feel difficult or futile. They remind us, as Archbishop Etienne writes, that “The rule of law is not simply a political convenience. It is a moral achievement. It embodies the conviction that justice, not force, must govern human relationships. Laws grounded in moral truth safeguard the weak, hold the strong accountable, and restrain the impulses of domination.”
There will be much joy as our students celebrate this week. And there should be. At the same time, our faith requires of us “to recognize every person as a brother or sister and to bear one another’s burdens.” We celebrate our Catholic schools while standing in solidarity with the immigrant and the refugee, and with all those who suffer alongside the marginalized and oppressed.
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In recent days, many of you have asked for guidance regarding how to respond should ICE or CBP arrive at your school. Our guidance has been reviewed and remains unchanged at this time. It can be found here: https://archseattle.org/ministries/outreach-ministries/immigrant-refugee-ministry/
I recognize that this guidance may feel unsatisfactory given what is being experienced across the nation, and particularly in Minnesota. Nonetheless, it remains the best guidance available to mitigate risk and to maintain the safety and security of our communities. I encourage you to review this guidance with appropriate members of your school leadership, including your administrative teams and faculty and staff.
If questions arise, please know that you may always reach out to me or to our team in the Office for Catholic Schools. In addition, Chris Koehler, Director of Missions & Immigrant Affairs, has offered his support and is available to consult with school leaders. He may be reached at 206-274-3194.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
With gratitude,
NICHOLAS FORD | Superintendent
Office for Catholic Schools | Archdiocese of Seattle
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