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August 12, 2002 Urban Catholic Schools, Service to the Poor and Good Stewardship Top Foundation Group Agenda Washington, DC ----- Results of a national survey representing two-thirds of FADICA’s membership, rank financial assistance to urban Catholic schools, service to the poor and good stewardship of church resources as the topmost issues of interest among fourteen categories comprising the association’s current program focus. The annual survey is conducted by FADICA’s board of directors each year as a way of ascertaining member input for future planning. The survey took place in May and June 2002. "The power of parochial schools to break the cycle of poverty, continues to captivate Catholic donors," said Dr. Francis J. Butler, FADICA’s president. "These institutions are among the most effective philanthropic investments in the poor today, and our members strongly share this belief," he added. The eight thousand Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the U.S. enroll 2.7 million students each year. A Rand study of New York City urban Catholic schools conducted in the 1990s found that Catholic high schools with 75-90% minority enrollments graduated 95% of their students each year, while the urban public schools graduated slightly more than 50% of their senior class. Sixty percent of African American students attending Catholic schools scored above the national average for African American students on the SAT, and more than 70 percent of public school African American students scored below the same national average. Members of FADICA also reported on the survey that nearly one third of their annual grants go to Catholic schools. U.S. Department of Education studies on urban Catholic schools have found more internal diversity with regard to race and income than the typical public school. Parochial schools offer more advanced academic courses than their public school counterparts and fewer vocational courses. Other issues trailing closely behind Catholic schools were poverty and church stewardship, strengthening campus ministry, assisting young adults with their knowledge of the Catholic faith and increasing mission awareness among lay boards of Catholic colleges and universities. "Church stewardship, rated especially highly this year," said Dr. Butler. This, he attributed to the current crisis surrounding clergy sexual abuse and what he termed, "a strong desire by major donors to work for better financial transparency." Last June FADICA asked the president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops to consider making a public report on the use of church funds in connection with clergy sexual abuse. The suggestion is being reviewed with other recommendations designed to promote better church accountability in connection with the crisis. FADICA is a lay organization comprised of private foundations and major donors. It functions as a vehicle for ongoing education, research and collaboration around church needs. |