Parents of children attending Archdiocese of Philadelphia schools are now required to sign a pledge promising their support of the schools' "Catholic identity" as well as the archbishop, who holds "final determination" on questions involving church law.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports parochial schools are also asked to include the one-page "Memorandum of Understanding" in their entrance applications and handbooks.
Spokesman Ken Gavin said the purpose of the pledge is simply to inform parents that the schools will teach the doctrine of the Catholic church.
Gavin said the pledge is unrelated to the firing of a gay teacher at Waldron Mercy Academy, a private Catholic school in suburban Philadelphia. He said the pledge predates the June dismissal of Margie Winters, and that Waldron Mercy Academy operates outside of the archdiocese's control.
