ARTICLES

Catholic schools official to attend meeting with Pope

Annette Parsons, diocesan Chief School Officer, was among a group of 400 Catholic educators who will meet with Pope Benedict XVI in Washington April 17 at Catholic University of America.

“The visit is historic in that, as far as I am aware, no other Pope has requested the presence of all the leaders of Catholic education,” Mrs. Parsons said to The Catholic Virginian the day before the meeting.

The pontiff has invited the superintendent of each Catholic school division in the country as well as the president of every Catholic university. There are 192 dioceses in the nation and about 200 universities, so he will address all those who manage Catholic educational communities from pre-school through post-graduate school at the meeting.

“I hope that the Holy Father will speak to the strengths and challenges of Catholic education and help to chart a new vision for the 21st Century,” Mrs. Parsons said.

“I also hope he will touch Catholic Schools as the key to the future of the Catholic Church, and the special calling of those who serve in Catholic Schools and the role our schools play in evangelization, faith formation, and moral development.”

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