Denver Catholic

8 AUGUST 10-23, 2019 | DENVER CATHOLIC In-Depth After 100 years of service to the Archdiocese of Denver, our Cathedral is in need of some vital repairs. Thank you for your generosity! Visit denvercathedral.org call us at 303-831-7010 or email us at CBIC2016@ denvercathedral.org for more information A RESTORATION FOR THE AGES All donations are tax deductible "Our historic and iconic Cathedral Basilica needs your help." Father Ron Cattany Pastor and Rector North, East and West Façade Repair $2 Million Leaking Flat Roof Repairs $50,000 East Door Handi- capped Access $50,000 Colfax Facade $4.5 Million Total: • Cathedral Savings and Restoration Fund $2.92 Million • Pledges & Gifts $1,163,613.86 EXTERIOR PRESERVATION 2021 Consecration Jubilee Trust Fund $5Million Clean Kimball Organ $100,000 Clean Altars $100,000 Carpet Cathedral $45,000 Paint Interior $750,000 INTERIOR RENOVATION Lower Level Bathrooms and Lift: • $350,000 from savings Sanctuary Handrails and Votive Candles: • Gifts & Pledges $46,639 MT. OLIVET CATHOLIC CEMETERY 12801 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO (303) 424-7785 ARCHDIOCESE OF DENVER MORTUARY Serving the greater Denver area (303) 425-9511 ST. SIMEON CATHOLIC CEMETERY 22001 E. State Hwy. 30, Aurora, CO (720) 859-9785 Peace of Mind for your Family with Pre-Planning More info at cfcsColorado.org A Ministry of The Archdiocese of Denver Teachers' union abortion declaration a threat to education, Catholic critics say BY AARON LAMBERT A new declaration by the nation's largest teachers' union is caus- ing some in Catholic education to raise their eyebrows in alarm. Earlier this month, the National Education Association (NEA) adopted a new "business item" declaring its support for "the fundamental right to abortion under Roe v. Wade." With over three million members, the NEA is one of the largest labor unions of any kind within the U.S. and it is highly influen- tial on policies within public education. Business Item 56 states that the NEA will "include an assertion of our defense of a person's right to control their own body, especially for women, youth and sexually marginalized people." It then states that it "vigorously opposes all attacks on the right to choose" and expresses its concurrence with Roe v. Wade and a fundamental right to abortion. THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION But what does this declaration actu- ally have to do with education? Nothing at all, said Mary Pat Donoghue, Secre- tariat of Education for the United States of Conference of Catholic Bishops. "This has nothing to do with educa- tion, and everything to do with advanc- ing an agenda that is rooted in an ideol- ogy that has separated the person from the Creator," Donoghue told the Denver Catholic. "It violates the naturally good ends of education: the formation of a child in knowledge, wisdom and virtue." With this declaration, the NEA's motives are becoming clearer, Dono- ghue said. "It signals, unequivocally, that the primary concern of the largest pro- fessional union of teachers is not the proper education of the children it serves, but rather the destruction of the most vulnerable children: those in the womb," she said. —"In aœrming Roe v. Wade, the NEA seems to be renounc- ing something that most educators take great inspiration from: the idea that children represent hope for the future. "The teachers' union as a whole is signaling that it does not support every child. Only those children who are 'wanted' – and free from anomaly or disability – will be entitled to an education." As society deals with a public edu- cational system that many argue is broken, unions such as the NEA could be leaders of reform for education. However, Donoghue pointed out that it seems they don't see this as a priority. "The emphasis on abortion support – instead of, say, student learning or teacher formation – is not an avenue of improvement for America's schools," she said. Actions like those of the NEA are cause for evaluating the true purpose of education and what its aim should be for society. Catholic education can be an eˆective means for counteract- ing an educational system that shows more favor toward partisanship and

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