Article 7.3.1 The duty and right of educating belongs in a unique way to the Church which has been divinely entrusted with the mission to assist men and women so that they can arrive at the fullness of the Christian life. Pastors of souls have the duty to arrange all things so that all the faithful may enjoy a Catholic education (cf. Canon 794, para. 1-2).
Article 7.3.2 Parents have the primary responsibility for educating their children in the ways of faith. Recognizing this responsibility, parents are to entrust their children to those schools in which Catholic education is provided. If they are unable to do this, they are bound to provide for their suitable Catholic education outside the schools (cf. Canon 798).
Article 7.3.3 Parishes, whenever possible, shall establish and maintain a parochial school or shall support and participate in an interparochial Catholic school.
Article 7.3.4 The support and maintenance of parochial schools is the responsibility of all the faithful in the Diocese. All have been given by Christ the command to teach.
Article 7.3.5 Tuition may be charged to those who derive a benefit from the Catholic school, but this must never be a prohibitive amount, and no one can be refused admission to school because of a genuine inability to pay tuition.
Article 7.3.6 At no time shall the tuition charged to Catholic students who live within parish boundaries exceed 50% of the actual per pupil cost of educating a child in that school.
Article 7.3.7 Pastors, after having received the permission of the Bishop, and after having consulted as in Article 7.3.8 below, may determine a suitable tuition for the parish school.
Article 7.3.8 The actual tuition rate shall be determined by the pastor in consultation with the Diocesan Superintendent of Schools, his own Parish and/or Finance Council, the principal and other parish or school advisory bodies.
Article 7.3.9 The Catholic educational system of the Diocese is directed by the Diocesan Education Office and the Office of Religious Education which, in the name of the Bishop, shall determine general school policies.
Article 7.3.10 The pastor of a parochial school and the superintendent of an interparochial school shall, under the direction of the Diocesan Education Office, have full charge of the school.
Article 7.3.11 Superintendents and teachers in Catholic schools shall cooperate with the legitimate directives of the Offices of State Superintendents.
Article 7.3.12 The Diocesan Superintendent of Schools shall be responsible for drafting, reviewing, amending, and promulgating changes in the policies or principles of the Catholic School system of the Diocese of Lincoln. Those school policies and principles, after receiving Episcopal approval, are published in a separate book.
