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St Thomas More Academy Petition for Recognition from the Archdiocese of Baltimore - Chronology of Events and Related Documents

1) Memo dated 29 August 2008, from the Board of Directors of St. Thomas More Academy (STMA) to Interested Catholics in Frederick County reference: Recognition of STMA as a Catholic School by the Archdiocese of Baltimore (AoB).

Summary: Memo is cover sheet for a package of the documentation from March through August 2008 showing the relationship and interaction between STMA and the AoB during the initial review and offer of recognition of STMA by the AoB and the subsequent reversal of the offer. Enclosures provided include:

1.a) AoB Letter dated 5 May 2008 from Archbishop Edwin O’Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore to Dr. James Merkel (President, STMA Board of Directors) and Ms. Margaret Neff (Principal of STMA) offering conditional Archdiocesan recognition as a Catholic school within AoB.

1.b) Final Report Memorandum dated 13 March 2008 from AoB STMA Review Committee (included in 5 May 2008 letter from Archbishop O’Brien) outlining the AoB Review Committee findings, unanimous and “strong” recommendation for recognition, and stipulations for final recognition.

1.c) STMA 2008 Parent Satisfaction Survey [link] conducted and reported by AoB STMA Review Committee as part of its school review conducted in February 2008. STMA Parent Survey results are contrasted with AoB averages for comparison.

1.d) Two letters dated 30 May 2008 and 18 June 2008, from Dr. James Merkel, President of the STMA Board of Directors to his Eminence, Edwin O’Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore, thanking the Archbishop for his “conditional” recognition of STMA as a Catholic School within the AoB. The second letter, dated 18 June 2008, requested a meeting with the Archbishop for the STMA Board to discuss issues in the AoB proposal that are of concern to the STMA community including:
- Implementation of a program that is home based and in alignment with the Pontifical Guidelines on chastity and;
- Clarification of policies and regulations related to recognized independent Catholic Schools.

1.e) Letter dated 22 July 2008, from Dr. Ronald Valenti, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the AoB, to Dr. James Merkel, President of the STMA Board of Directors, responding to the 18 June 2008 STMA letter. The letter is silent on addressing STMA concerns about wishing to adhere to Roman Catholic Church teachings as documented in the 1995 Pontifical Council For the Family’s “The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality: Guidelines for Education within the Family.” http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/family/documents/rc_pc_family_doc_08121995_human-sexuality_en.html However, the AoB letter states that, from Archdiocesan perspective, “the implementation of the AoB Catechesis for Human Sexuality is a non-negotiable issue”….and that…”There is no need for a meeting to further the dialog: all has been said that needs to be said.”

1.f) Letter dated 18 August 2008 from Dr. James Merkel, President of the STMA Board of Directors to his Eminence, Edwin O’Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore, confirming receipt of 22 July 2008 AoB letter. The STMA Board of Directors express disappointment with AoB decision not to offer recognition as a Catholic school to STMA and thanks the Archbishop for allowing local priests to visit and be welcome in the school. The letter reaffirms STMA’s argument for “home taught” human sexuality education per the Pontifical Guidelines which affirms that home based chastity education is preferred and recommended (e.g., Chapter IV, Rights of Parents, Paragraphs 41-47 and Chapter VII, Practical Guidelines, Recommendations for Parents and Educators, Paragraphs 115-120). The STMA letter notes that “While we agree to disagree for now, please know that we welcome any discussion or direction to help us understand the (AoB) superintendent’s/Catholic Center’s uncompromising opposition to the Pontifical Guidelines.” Finally, the STMA letter includes an information bulletin, planned for public release entitled “STMA and the Archdiocese agree to disagree” summarizing the situation. The STMA letter requests that the Archbishop “advise us if you have any objections to its content.”

2) Letter dated 29 August 2008, from Dr. Ronald Valenti, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the AoB, to Dr. Jim Merkel, President of the STMA Board of Directors responding to the 18 August 2008 STMA letter. The letter is silent on addressing STMA concerns about wishing to adhere to Roman Catholic Church teachings as documented in the 1995 Pontifical Council For the Family’s “The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality: Guidelines for Education within the Family.”

However, the AoB letter discusses the Archdiocesan sex education curriculum contained in its Family Life and Growing in Love programs. The letter also clarifies the role and nature of the AoB School Superintendent’s involvement in the internal management of private Catholic schools.

Finally, the letter notes that: “Archbishop O’Brien has directed that there should be clear communication about the review process…with both the presbyterate of Frederick County and the families of STMA. I (Dr. Valenti) will be in touch with both groups during the month of September.”

3) Letter dated 20 October 2008 from Dr. James Merkel, President of the STMA Board of Directors to Members of the STMA community. The letter:
- reaffirms the STMA Board of Director’s decision not to accept the offer from the AoB for recognition as a Catholic School based on a requirement that STMA must teach a classroom course in Human Sexuality;
- notes that much of the basis for the Board’s decision was based on the Catholic Church teachings documented in the 1995 Pontifical Council For the Family’s The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality: Guidelines for Education within the Family. “In the paper it is very clear that this subject matter should be taught to the children by their parents;”
- references and encloses a newspaper article reporting the November 2006 Catholic Medical Association (CMA) 55-page Report given to the U.S. Bishops at the plenary meeting that year. The article explains that the CMA report “basically repudiates ‘Child Safety’ programs as offered in Catholic Schools.” A copy of the CMA Executive Summary is also provided.

4) Letter dated 31 October 2008 from Dr. James Merkel, President of the STMA Board of Directors to Monsignor John Deitzenbach, Pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church (Libertytown, MD) (with copies to other Frederick area priests). The letter:
- discusses the AoB recognition controversy and suggests a dialogue to seek resolution;
- reaffirms that the Pontifical Council for the Family’s Guidelines for Education within the Family is “unambiguous concerning the rights and responsibilities that parents have in regards to teaching their children about the Theology of the Body;”
- notes that the “home based” policy is reinforced by the findings of the study conducted by the CMA Task Force regarding current “child empowerment”/abuse prevention programs.
- notes that other American dioceses, including nearby Harrisburg, PA concur with the CMA Task Force and the guidelines of the Pontifical Council, and have developed a home-based course adopted by 20 other dioceses.
- concludes by asking diocesan priests to help STMA by “encouraging the Archbishop to talks with us (STMA community) rather than dictate terms from on high.”

5) Letter dated 4 November 2008, from Dr. Ronald Valenti, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the AoB, to Dr. Jim Merkel, President of the STMA Board of Directors. The letter:
- notes that the STMA website has the following statement:
STMA is an independent Catholic elementary and middle school founded in 2000 to meet the increasing demand for faith-based education in Frederick County….
- requests that STMA remove the word “Catholic” from the above description on the STMA website and to not use it to “describe the school in any medium, including printed materials and those appearing on the Internet.”
- states that “Only schools operating in the Archdiocese that have been appropriately designated by the Archbishop may identify themselves as “Catholic.”

Current as of January 5, 2009.