Bishop Robert Vasa of Santa Rosa in California had intended to require all teachers and administrators — Catholic and non-Catholic — to "agree that it is my duty, to the best of my ability, to believe, teach/administer and live in accord with what the Catholic Church holds and professes".

This pledge — including the requirement to reject "modern errors" that "gravely offend human dignity," including contraception, abortion, same-sex marriage and euthanasia — had been written into new contracts for the 2013-14 school year.

The bishop said his policy was designed to ensure that teachers in Catholic schools provided models of Catholic living for their students.

After disquiet spread among parents, teachers, students and pastors, Bishop Vasa had a meeting with 10 school principals and announced he was postponing the policy.

In a letter to school staff and parents, he said he regretted not gathering input from pastors and administrators prior to issuing the requirement for teachers to sign the new contract.

Bishop Vasa acknowledged that his "most serious oversight ... was my failure to engage and consult the pastors of the diocese and especially those who are the local shepherds of our Catholic schools".

He said his "degree of vigilance" in assuring "the greatest hope of finding the truths of Jesus in our Catholic schools" for students could "look like a lack of trust".

The bishop also acknowledged "that I overlooked proper engagement of the principals" and "erroneously chose a path of informing rather than mutual discernment".

Bishop Vasa said he planned to implement the policy "in some form" in 2015.

Between then and now, he said, "in conjunction with other theological educators, I will work to prepare presentations on matters of faith and morals" with principals and teachers as the "primary audience", though "hopefully parents also will find a way to participate."

Sources:

Press Democrat

National Catholic Reporter

Image: Les Femmes

"This is viewed as a positive gesture — one of community and communion, in which our catechists profess their faith in communion with Bishop Loverde, Pope Benedict, and the entire Church," diocesan communications director Michael Donohue said in a July 12 EWTN News interview.

While a small number of teachers say they cannot take the fidelity oath, Donohue said a "far greater number" have told the diocese they see the profession of faith as "a positive gesture."

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