Entries by Dr. Denise Donohue Ed.D.

Policy Standards on Sexuality Programs in Catholic Education

Everything in a Catholic educational institution must serve its mission of seeking and teaching truth, the sanctification of its students, and service to society. The primary means of advancing this mission is the academic program, which has pride of place and first claim to resources in the life of the institution. The delivery of the academic program takes place within a rich Catholic environment and is inspired by a Catholic worldview. However, co-curricular and extracurricular programs also are important to students’ formation and also must take place within this same rich Catholic environment and worldview. This is particularly true of sports which, in Catholic educational institutions, are an effective means to provide for the well-being of man and to give glory and praise to the Creator.[1]

Policy Standards on Mission, Philosophy, and Faith Statements

In Catholic education, an organization’s mission and philosophical understanding of God, creation, man, morality, and the role of education are the conceptual framework for its decision-making. Mission, philosophy, and faith (belief) statements provide clarity of operations, help avoid disputes and litigation, and strengthen an institution’s ability to defend its mission […]

Catholic Education’s Call in the Face of ‘Cancel Culture’

In the present moment, much of the popular culture is taken up with concerns about race, gender, and equity. Unfortunately, fruitful dialogue on these important topics has been complicated by radical race and gender ideologies[1] and a “cancel culture” which has sprung up in their presence. These ideologies are fueled […]

Background on Critical Race Theory and Critical Theory for Catholic Educators

Catholic education offers a truthful and morally sound framework for considering issues of race, human dignity, and social justice, yet cultural norms, historical developments, commonplace and novel assumptions, and associated passions all have some influence over Catholic education—sometimes for the good, but often distorting and even contradicting sound Catholic teaching. […]

Why Critical Race Theory is Contrary to Catholic Education

Catholic education offers a truthful and morally sound framework for considering issues of race, human dignity, and social justice. Yet cultural norms, historical developments, commonplace and novel assumptions, and associated passions all have some influence over Catholic education—sometimes for the good, but often distorting and even contradicting sound Catholic teaching. […]

Policy Standards on Literature and the Arts in Catholic Education

Catholic education seeks to “bring human wisdom into an encounter with divine wisdom,”[1] cultivate “in students the intellectual, creative, and aesthetic faculties of the human person,” introduce a cultural heritage, and prepare them for professional life and to take on the responsibilities and duties of society and the Church.[2] Literature […]