'Education Bill Threat To Catholic School System’

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29744, 10 February 1962, Page 14

'Education Bill Threat To Catholic School System ’

(N. Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

NEW YORK, Feb. 7.

Acceptance of President Kennedy’s federal aid to education bill would bring about the eventual end of the Roman Catholic school system. the Archbishop of New York (Cardinal Spellman) said today.

The Administration measure. made public yesterday, excluded any Federal aid to private or church elementary and high schools. Cardinal Spellman had often disagreed with the Administration’s stand, the Associated Press said. But today’s statement, made in addressing a group of 1500 teaching nuns, brothers, and lay teachers, was one of his most forceful. He said the Roman Catholic hierarchy would continue its fight for what he described as “equal justice” for all the nation's schoolchildren. “If the Administration's desire should become factual that means the end of our schools,” said the Cardinal. “Because while we pay our municipal taxes, taxes for education, and while our parents assume the voluntary

taxation of building and supporting our, schools ... if the Federal Government should favour public schools and put an additional tax on us, from which we shall receive no benefits, then, my dear friends, it is the eventual end of our parochial schools," he said.

President Kennedy. the United States first Roman Catholic President, has taken the stand that church schools cannot receive aid from public funds because of constitutional provisions for separation of church and State.

Cardinal Spellman has led the Roman Catholic hierarchy in its fight to obtain equal aid.