Gathered around a bonfire on a crisp New England evening, my wife and I listened as our friends discussed possibly sending their children to a new school. They’d long been troubled by the moral decline they’d observed in their public school system. However, living on the East Coast, their options were limited: public school or Catholic school.
For our friends (and other Christian parents who take their discipleship calling to heart), educational formation means much more than helping their kids create a solid academic record and succeed in their careers. They desire to see their children rooted in Scripture’s soil and drawing from the ancient well of wisdom found in literature, art, and philosophy. They want their children to love and serve God with all their heart, soul, and mind and stand courageously against the perilous currents of modernity.
But is Roman Catholic schooling consistent with those goals?
Roman Catholic Education
Many parents are choosing Roman Catholic classical schools (that prioritize a traditional, integrated approach to learning through the lens of classical education) or even parochial schools (that provide a broader educational experience). Both promise a rich intellectual tradition that prioritizes moral reflection and personal virtue. According to the National Catholic Educational Association, out of the nearly 1.7 million students enrolled in the 5,905 Catholic schools from pre-K to grade 12 in the United States, 21 percent are non-Catholic. Many of these non-Catholic students are Protestants, illustrating Catholic education’s broad appeal to families seeking a values-based academic experience.
Around the fire pit, our friends shared their insights from an informational meeting at a prospective Catholic school. They felt comfortable because it was on the classical end of the spectrum, emphasizing great books of the Western tradition, and was less like a traditional parochial school. The meeting emphasized the objective nature of truth, the triune God as its divine source, and the morally fortifying outcomes of such an education. Our friends then turned to me, their pastor-friend who has written frequently about Roman Catholicism, and asked, “What do you think?”
At once, a host of theological and practical issues jangled through my mind—how we understand the Catholic tradition; our different assumptions as Protestants concerning divine authority, salvation, and sacramental life; and sundry forms of spirituality, particularly those involving Mary and the saints. Then there were specific questions about the school itself.
Educational Vision
Let’s consider the basic ideals of a Roman Catholic school and then some theological and practical cautions for Protestant parents.
1. Catholic education often emphasizes the students’ holistic development. Drawing inspiration from figures like John Henry Newman and the liberal arts tradition, this approach extends beyond vocational training to cultivate the mind as a form of worship and calling. It seeks to nurture critical thinking and foster a well-rounded understanding of various disciplines. Through a broad curriculum, students are equipped with intellectual tools to navigate the complexities of modern life.
2. Central to this vision is the integration of theology with the academic curriculum. Unlike public schools, which tend to exclude theological study, Catholic schools excel in building on a biblically informed theological foundation, recognizing the complementary relationship between faith and reason. This framework enables students to explore essential questions about existence, morality, and God’s supremacy in all things.
3. The Catholic Church’s emphasis on continuous incarnation—the extension of Christ’s mediatorial nature and work through the Church’s sacramental life—fosters a robust community culture that can encourage warm-hearted dialogue, debate, and the sharing of diverse perspectives. This approach acknowledges that every aspect of education should reflect Christ’s presence and contribute to the formation of students in his image. Consequently, such an education emphasizes the importance of recognizing Christ in others, particularly the marginalized and disadvantaged, and engaging in tangible acts of compassion.
Be Prepared for Challenges
Catholic education cannot solve all problems. Often, there’s a significant gap, or even a yawning chasm, between a school’s intended vision and its actual implementation by teachers, administrators, and students.
Even at its best, Catholic education poses challenges for evangelical Protestant families.
1. Liturgy
Catholics believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and uphold that belief with the doctrine of transubstantiation, which insists the bread and wine truly become the body and blood of Christ. The Mass is therefore a focal point of their community. It was described by Vatican II as the “source and summit of the Christian life.” While Protestants hold various views on the sacraments, they agree that transubstantiation is a misguided doctrine. Therefore, Protestant parents should be prepared to explain the Eucharist to their children and ensure the school makes appropriate provisions for them to abstain from participating in the Mass.
2. Authority
Roman Catholicism emphasizes the authority of the Catholic Church, including the ongoing interpretation of Scripture and of its own tradition by the magisterium, the Church’s teaching office. While some Protestants recognize church traditions as necessary, all view Scripture as the sole infallible source of authority for Christian faith and practice. Consequently, Protestant students attending a Catholic school will need to scrutinize and reject a host of traditional Catholic ideas, such as the office of the papacy, the concept of justification through meritorious works, and the doctrine of purgatory.
Protestant students attending a Catholic school will need to scrutinize and reject a host of traditional Catholic ideas.
3. Mary and the Saints
Catholics believe in the intercession of saints and the veneration of Mary, viewing them as part of the communion of believers who intercede on behalf of the living. Consequently, students in Catholic schools might pray the rosary, either individually, in religion classes, or during school-wide events. They may also celebrate significant feast days, such as the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Assumption of Mary, and Our Lady of Guadalupe. While Protestants highly respect Mary, they don’t venerate or pray to her. Instead, Protestants uphold the priesthood of believers, emphasizing that all Christians have direct access to God through Christ without the need for intercessors.
God’s Faithful Provision
Clearly, we face a dilemma. Do we want 14-year-old Sophie to be asked for her pronouns from her PE teacher? Or to attend activities for Pride Month? Or is it better for her to hear the Hail Mary every morning as it’s prayed by the principal over the intercom system?
If we send our children to a Roman Catholic school, do we risk undermining their biblically grounded faith? Catholic teaching can unsettle a son’s or daughter’s understanding of scriptural authority and assurance of God’s favor in Christ. However, if we keep our children in a public school, do we leave their tender souls adrift in a sea of post-Christian relativism?
Risk is inevitable, whichever decision we make. Facing this dilemma, many parents have opted for homeschooling or have even started their own Christian schools. Others have chosen to send their children to Catholic schools, expecting to be able to explain the doctrinal differences to their youngsters. However, as I suggested to my friends around the bonfire, we must first be clear with our children about our different beliefs—and why they matter.
The lofty and excessive self-understanding of Rome, which presents Jesus to the world through her sacramental organs and clerical ministrations, obscures the Bible’s emphasis on the direct, personal relationship that God intends to have with his children. We must never lose this emphasis, or we run the risk of losing the gospel itself.
As a pastor, I cannot give you a “Thus saith the Lord” about this choice, which I see as a matter of prudential judgment. Whichever option you choose, you should be prepared to patiently and diligently teach your children the doctrines of our most holy faith (Jude 20). There are many resources to help you.
Whichever option you choose, you should be prepared to patiently and diligently teach your children the doctrines of our most holy faith.
It’s important to regularly engage with your children about their school experience and what they’re learning. Encourage them to ask questions and address their concerns honestly and thoughtfully. Listen attentively and don’t be afraid.
Education, like salvation, is pursued in faithful reliance on God’s provision and grace. By creating a home environment where Scripture is the guiding light, you’ll help your children navigate their educational journey and equip them to become the men and women God has called them to be.