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In Wall Street Journal Op Ed Cardinal Dolan says Democrats have abandoned Catholics

Timothy-Dolan

March 25,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

New York New York, In an a scathing op-ed published Friday in the Wall Street Journal, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York lamented that the Democratic Party’s shifting principles have effectively shut out and alienated orthodox Catholics.

Dolan cited the Democrat’s current opposition to school choice programs and tax credits for education, along with their unwavering support for abortion rights, among the reasons why he is disappointed with the party in its current state. Dolan said believes that the Democrats of today have abandoned many of the tenets that made the party attractive to Catholics generations ago.

Dolan was particularly critical of a proposed New York law titled the “Reproductive Health Act,” which he says would “morbidly expand” the “most radical abortion license in the country.” The New York State Assembly is overwhelmingly Democrat.

“For instance, under the proposed Reproductive Health Act, doctors would not be required to care for a baby who survives an abortion. The newborn simply would be allowed to die without any legal implications,” wrote Dolan.

What’s more, Dolan explained, is that he feels the Democrats are making it harder for low and middle-class children to get an education at a Catholic school.

“In recent years, some Democrats in the New York state Assembly repeatedly blocked education tax credit legislation, which would have helped middle-class and low-income families make the choice to select Catholic or other nonpublic schools for their children,” said Dolan. The cardinal said this type of legislation impedes the mission of these schools to serve poor, often immigrant, children.

Dolan admitted that while he has “ had spats and disappointments” with politicians from both major political parties in the United States, he is particularly upset by the Democratic Party’s swing in a direction that excludes people like his grandmother.

“But,” he said. “It saddens me, and [it] weakens the democracy millions of Americans cherish, when the party that once embraced Catholics now slams the door on us.”

The Cardinal, 68, said DNC Chairman Tom Perez insisted in 2016 that pro-life candidates have no place in the modern Democratic Party.

“The ‘big tent’ of the Democratic Party now seems a pup tent,” he said.

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Catholic Schools Dominate National Blue Ribbon School Winners in New Jersey

St

September 29,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recognized 342 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2017 based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. These schools demonstrate that all students can achieve to high levels. The Department will formally recognize the 292 public and 50 private schools at an awards ceremony at the Omni Shoreham in Washington DC on November 6 and 7, 2017. The 2017 cohort represent public and non-public elementary, middle and high schools, including traditional, charter, magnet schools, parochial and independent schools in 44 States, the District of Colombia and Department of Defense Education Activity schools in Okinawa, Japan, Stuttgart, Germany, and West Point, New York.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content. The National Blue Ribbon Schools flag gracing a school’s building is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. National Blue Ribbon Schools are an inspiration and a model for schools still striving for excellence. Now in its 35th year, the U. S. Department of Education has bestowed this coveted award on more than 8,500 schools.

In New Jersey 17 schools were honored as National Blue Ribbon Schools, and the list was dominated by Catholic schools . Most of which are being run by the Archdiocese of Newark.

Here are the Catholic Schools :

St. Peter Academy, Bergen County

This River Edge elementary school, under the Archdiocese of Newark, has 159 students. It was recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School.

Our Lady of the Lake School, Essex County

This Verona elementary school, operated by the Archdiocese of Newark, has 226 students and was recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School.

All Saints Catholic Academy, Hudson County

This Bayonne elementary school, under the Archdiocese of Newark, serving 404 students earned recognition as an Exemplary High Performing School.

All Saints Catholic Academy, Hudson County

This Bayonne elementary school, under the Archdiocese of Newark, serving 404 students earned recognition as an Exemplary High Performing School.

Saint Francis Cathedral School, Middlesex County

This elementary school, located in Metuchen and operated under the Metuchen Diocese, has 421 students. It was recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School.

Christian Brothers Academy, Monmouth County

This high school, located in Lincroft, and under the Diocese of Trenton, has 974 students. It was recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School.

The Academy of Our Lady of Peace, Union County

This New Providence elementary school, under the Archdiocese of Newark, has 145 students. It was recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School.