Bishop Vasa Asks Diocesan Teachers to Uphold the Church's Teachings

March 1, 2013, at 11:49 AM | By Tim Drake
Catholic Education Daily

Diocese of Santa Rosa Bishop Robert Vasa

The Press Democrat is reporting that as a condition of employment, the Diocese of Santa Rosa Bishop Robert Vasa is requiring all of its elementary and high school teachers to sign an agreement affirming the Church’s teachings, specifically that “modern errors” such as abortion, contraception, euthanasia, and homosexual marriage are “matters that gravely offend human dignity.”

“I am simply fulfilling my duty and responsibility to make sure that the Catholic faith, as it is presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, is clearly and consistently taught in the Catholic institutions of the Diocese,” said Bishop Vasa.

According to language in the document, titled “Bearing Witness,” teachers in the diocese affirm that: "I am, by that fact, also a ministerial agent of the Bishop who is the chief 'teacher' of the Diocese."

It asks teachers to "agree that it is my duty, to the best of my ability, to believe, teach/administer and live in accord with what the Catholic Church holds and professes."

"I am especially cognizant of the fact that modern errors -- including but not limited to matters that gravely offend human dignity and the common good such as contraception, abortion, homosexual 'marriage' and euthanasia -- while broadly accepted in society, are not consistent with the clear teachings of the Catholic Church."

Teachers will be expected to sign the addendum to the contract to be hired to return for the 2013-2014 school year. There are approximately 200 educators at 11 Catholic schools employed by the diocese, including Cardinal Newman and St. Vincent de Paul High School. Approximately 25% of the diocese’s teachers are non-Catholic. Teachers have until March 15 to declare their intent to work next school year.

Cardinal Newman Principal Graham Rutherford said that he expects most teachers will sign the document.

people who make a push for laity to be more involved in leadership roles in the Church should then willing embrace certain obligation that leaders in the Church take on, including swearing that they adhere to the Church’s teachings an legitimate discipline. - See more at: http://wdtprs.com/blog/2013/02/bp-vasa-d-santa-rosa-under-fire-for-requiring-catholic-school-teachers-to-live-according-to-the-faith/#sthash.wp23Dllv.dpuf

people who make a push for laity to be more involved in leadership roles in the Church should then willing embrace certain obligation that leaders in the Church take on, including swearing that they adhere to the Church’s teachings an legitimate discipline. - See more at: http://wdtprs.com/blog/2013/02/bp-vasa-d-santa-rosa-under-fire-for-requiring-catholic-school-teachers-to-live-according-to-the-faith/#sthash.wp23Dllv.dpuf

"...people who make a push for laity to be more involved in leadership roles in the Church should then willing[ly] embrace certain obligation[s] that leaders in the Church take on, including swearing that they adhere to the Church's teachings..." commented Father John Zuhlsdorf on his blog.


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