Catholic Education

Welcome to the Catholic Education website

We are deeply committed to supporting the proclamation of the Gospel through our primary and secondary Catholic Schools, Catholic higher education, campus ministry, certification for ecclesial ministry, and support of children and parents through advocacy and public policy in our Nation's Capital.

In celebrating the Year of Faith, October 2012 through November 2013, it is important to recall the statement made by the Second Vatican Council, "Holy Mother Church must be concerned with the whole of man's life, even the secular part of it insofar as it has a bearing on his heavenly calling.  Therefore she has a role in the progress and development of education." (Gravissimum Educationis, Preface) Education remains critically important in the formation of the human person by teaching how to live well now so as to be able to live with God for all eternity.

Catholic education addresses the development of the whole person through spiritual and academic formation based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The mission of Catholic education provides a particular environment for the New Evangelization by presenting the Gospel anew within the school and parish communities.

Our schools serve both the faith community and society by educating children, young people and adults to contribute to the common good by becoming active and caring members of the communities, cities, and nation in which they live. As you explore this web site, we ask for your support of Catholic education through prayer and action on the school, parish and national levels.

MANDATE AND GOALS FOR THE COMMITTEE

The committee provides guidance for the educational mission of the Church in the United States in all its institutional settings. The Committee on Catholic Education guides, directs, and coordinates this task, working closely with the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis. The scope of the committee’s work includes Catholic elementary and secondary schools, Catholic colleges and universities, and college campus ministry. The committee advocates for federal public policies in education that are consistent with Catholic values and that uphold parental rights and responsibilities regarding education.

This mandate includes the following areas of responsibility: Catholic primary and secondary schools, including school public policy issues, parent relationships and advocacy; Catholic higher education, especially presidents and campus ministry; Ex corde Ecclesiae; Sapientia Christiana.

KEY MISSION RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Encouraging and supporting efforts in Catholic education by fostering the distribution and implementation of both universal Church documents on education as well as related documents developed by the bishops of the United States 
2. Supporting educational efforts in the Church in the United States by developing policies, guidelines, and resources for use by bishops in their dioceses
   
3. Providing consultation on educational issues when requested, including advising and representing the bishops
   
4. Collaborating with the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis regarding evangelization and catechesis in Catholic schools and universities
5. Providing support and advocacy in federal public policy on behalf of Catholic educational institutions from pre-school through high school levels
6. Bringing to Catholic education the perspectives and concerns of other cultures and people with special pastoral needs through collaboration with other committees/offices
   

KEY MISSION RELATIONSHIPS

1. With bishops and diocesan offices
2. With related committees and offices of the USCCB
3. With national educational organizations and associations
4. With governmental and legislative bodies
5. With advisory bodies to the Committee
6. With the Holy See and other episcopal conferences