Diocese defies guidance on masks at school

An open letter to Bishop Ronald Hicks, Diocese of Joliet:

As you know, the Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Michael J. Boyle, has just released an announcement clarifying the stance of the Diocese of Joliet on masks this upcoming school year. According to this announcement, the diocese has decided that Catholic school students and staff will not be required to wear masks. This includes unvaccinated individuals and children under 12 who are ineligible for the vaccine.

In doing so, the diocese is going against the guidance of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC.

This announcement also goes against the guidance of Pope Francis, who has gone on record to support mask wearing and criticized those who refuse to wear masks. He has made it clear that Catholics should follow the pandemic guidance of medical professionals, as their guidance aims to protect our society - especially the most vulnerable among us, like the immunocompromised and our unvaccinated children - from deadly diseases.

To be clear, Michael Boyle does not have a medical degree.

It is shocking that the diocese and Michael Boyle would think themselves beyond reproach of the pope. If our Catholic schools are truly the strong faith-based institutions we have been led to believe they are, the diocese should be jumping at the chance to champion the pope's call and the opportunity to instill a sense of moral responsibility in our youngsters. We, as a Catholic community, should be showing the children how to care for the weakest among us through our actions.

Moving forward, it would be wise if the Diocese of Joliet and the superintendent of our schools take the advice of medical professionals. As concerned parents, we ask that Bishop Hicks intercede and reconsider the diocese's stance on masks in our Catholic schools.

Sarah and Jonathan Minnis

Naperville