Bishop Clarifies Role of Parents with Children Enrolled in
Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois

Amended Policy Effective for the 2016-17 School Year

SPRINGFIELD — Stressing that diocesan schools are “open to all,” Bishop Thomas John Paprocki  of the Diocese of Springfield today clarified the role expected of parents and guardians who enroll their children in Catholic schools for the 2016-17 school year.

Bishop Paprocki informed pastors, school principals and other personnel that the family school agreement, adopted by the diocesan Presbyteral Council last July, has been amended to include an “alternative” plan applicable to families of other faiths who attend their respective places of worship. The alternative plan removes specific references to “tithing” that is included in the basic plan agreed to by all other parents and guardians.

“This should remove the concern of our non-Catholic families of a mandated monetary contribution to their local parish church on top of the tuition and fees paid to the school,” said Bishop Paprocki.  He stressed, however, that the agreement presumes that families of other faiths financially support the church or other place of worship they do attend and are fully aware that by enrolling their children in a Catholic school that their education will include the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church.

Bishop Paprocki also said the family school agreement that applies to all others who choose to enroll their children in Catholic schools in our diocese are encouraged to strive toward the goal of allocating eight percent of their income to their local parish.  In addition, their local church will undertake a major effort that, in time, will provide Catholic education without a tuition charge to parents and guardians. Parishes that have schools currently subsidize each student’s education since tuition and fees do not cover the myriad of expenses.

More information on the family school agreement policy is available at the diocese website www.dio.org/policy

The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is comprised of 129 parishes in 28 counties in central Illinois.

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