Broken Faith

There's a bit of trouble for Bishop Martino and the Diocese of Scranton.

It seems that after the highly publicized and lamented restructuring of the catholic schools, we still can't seem to focus on what's important.

The students.

You see, in the past the diocesan schools only had a union in selected schools, for whatever reason.

Not ALL schools. Selected schools.

Now, with the restructuring, which closed some schools and consolidated others, the diocese decided to not deal with a union at all. They asked the teachers who wanted positions in the new school system to apply for them. Those that were hired were given a 3% pay raise and full benefits.

That's a pretty good deal from a school system that had no idea how many former and new students would enroll.

Then the teachers got greedy.

The union officials, who have no jobs if there is no union by the way, went on a rampage. They demanded to be able to bargain on behalf of the teachers. They insisted that the teachers needed representation, and that they were the ones for the job.

They held prayer vigils outside the cathedral, they have enlisted every newspaper in their fight, and they continue attempt to force their will on the diocese.

From today's edition of the Citizen's Voice:

"We want to let parents know the bishop has broken faith with the teachers … and broken faith with the students and parents as well,” said James Lynch, union vice president.

Can someone please explain to me how by not wanting a union, the church has "broken faith" with students and parents? It is the teachers that have broken the faith with the students. The parish priests have no idea how the children are being prepared for the sacraments. The curriculum for first communion and confirmation are unclear. Calls to the schools have been fruitless. There are no answers to be had it seems. First communions and confirmations diocese wide may have to be canceled for the first time in the history of diocese, if it is not taken care of quickly.

It is the union that is causing problems, the teachers accepted contracts without the union, got raises without the union, but now they want a union?

And to top it off, the union officials are calling for parents not to give money to their parishes, but to "catholic" charities instead. "That way, people can still tithe, but “not support a church that condones this type of treatment,” Lynch said Wednesday. In the advertisement, (the union took out in local newspapers) the union also addresses a possible work stoppage that would be a “last resort” if the diocese does not let teachers vote on union membership."

I hate to tell the union this, but a tithe is not the same as a charitable contribution. A tithe is meant for the support of clergy and the parish, so what they are really asking is for people to turn their backs on the church which provides them with so much, just so that a few people can keep their jobs in the union.

And a work stoppage? If I were the Bishop, I would fire them all.

What has happened to obedience? It would seem to me that the ones with the "broken faith" are the union officials, and the teachers and people that support them.