18 Catholic schools are granted a reprieve

In the end, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput spared more Catholic elementary schools from closing than many parents and parishioners had expected.

Officials from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Friday announced that Chaput had approved 18 of the 24 appeals filed by Catholic elementary schools.

"Naturally, there will be a strong focus on the final decision resulting from the appeals," Bishop Michael Fitzgerald, who oversees education, said Friday. "But it is also important to realize that today is about taking the next steps in securing sustainability, accessibility, affordability, and continued excellence in the schools in the archdiocese."

He said that the high number of appeals granted did not mean that the 16-member blue-ribbon commission that recommended the closings and mergers in January had overreached.

Fitzgerald said commission members had realized that additional information might come forward that should be considered. "I would say that the commission is certainly in harmony with the appeals process," he said, adding that the goal always had been to find ways to ensure the viability of Catholic education.

Parents and parishioners said they were grateful that they had an opportunity to make their cases and that review panels - and the archbishop - had listened.

"They said they had listened to our appeal, and it was exactly what they wanted to hear - facts, not emotions," said Rev. John Eckert, pastor of Holy Trinity in Morrisville, which won its appeal. Instead of closing and forming a regional school at St. John the Evangelist in Morrisville, Holy Trinity will remain open as a parish school.

But parents at St. John said they were blindsided by the news that as a result of Holy Trinity's successful appeal, their school will close in June. They had no idea it was in danger.

Archdiocesan officials also said plans were under way to designate up to 14 schools that serve low-income students as independent Catholic "mission schools" with permanent outside funding to ensure that Catholic education remains available in their neighborhoods.

According to the archdiocese, the appeals that were granted will result in several elementary schools remaining parish schools, others being merged to create regional schools, and some being closed outright.

Fitzgerald, who announced Chaput's decisions about the elementary schools, said an announcement on the fate of four high schools targeted for closure would be delayed a week.