I've been meaning to read that book rather than just skimming it.


'False also and harmful to Christian education is the so-called method of "coeducation." This too, by many of its supporters, is founded upon naturalism and the denial of original sin; but by all, upon a deplorable confusion of ideas that mistakes a leveling promiscuity and equality, for the legitimate association of the sexes. The Creator has ordained and disposed perfect union of the sexes only in matrimony, and, with varying degrees of contact, in the family and in society. Besides there is not in nature itself, which fashions the two quite different in organism, in temperament, in abilities, anything to suggest that there can be or ought to be promiscuity, and much less equality, in the training of the two sexes. These, in keeping with the wonderful designs of the Creator, are destined to complement each other in the family and in society, precisely because of their differences, which therefore ought to be maintained and encouraged during their years of formation, with the necessary distinction and corresponding separation, according to age and circuмstances. These principles, with due regard to time and place, must, in accordance with Christian prudence, be applied to all schools, particularly in the most delicate and decisive period of formation, that, namely, of adolescence; and in gymnastic exercises and deportment, special care must be had of Christian modesty in young women and girls, which is so gravely impaired by any kind of exhibition in public. Recalling the terrible words of the Divine Master: "Woe to the world because of scandals!" We most earnestly appeal to your solicitude and your watchfulness, Venerable Brethren, against these pernicious errors, which, to the immense harm of youth, are spreading far and wide among Christian peoples. '

Pope Bl. Pius IX

'Moreover, not content with removing religion from public society, they wish to banish it also from private families. For, teaching and professing the most fatal error of "Communism and Socialism," they assert that "domestic society or the family derives the whole principle of its existence from the civil law alone; and, consequently, that on civil law alone depend all rights of parents over their children, and especially that of providing for education." By which impious opinions and machinations these most deceitful men chiefly aim at this result, viz., that the salutary teaching and influence of the Catholic Church may be entirely banished from the instruction and education of youth, and that the tender and flexible minds of young men may be infected and depraved by every most pernicious error and vice. For all who have endeavored to throw into confusion things both sacred and secular, and to subvert the right order of society, and to abolish all rights, human and divine, have always (as we above hinted) devoted all their nefarious schemes, devices and efforts, to deceiving and depraving incautious youth and have placed all their hope in its corruption.'

Pope Bl. Pius IX, 'Quanta Cura'

I've read so much of his work over the years, Fr. Muller left me in no doubt on the teaching on public education.

Mater and all interested in this topic,

I had remembered a post I read years ago on the Bellarmine Forums on which gave statements from the hierarchy, Plenary Councils and clergy which strongly condemn public schools.  

Keep in mind that they are condemning public schools when they were supposedly "good."  We can only wonder what these bishops and priests would say about schools today.  

The quotes were taken from a book that was trying to make Catholics sound anti-American and was certainly an anti-Catholic book, but the irony is that despite their hatred of Catholics they are a least partially right, Catholics and public schools don't mix.

I was quite amazed (and that word is actually a little weak to accurately describe how I reacted) to read some of the things I read!

I will quote some of them which come from a rabidly Anti-Catholic book entitled, America's Next War by a Horace Wilber Bolton and published in 1892. Although I am almost certain these quotations were taken out of context, they, nonetheless show clearly what the mind of the Church was in those days about public schools. Here are a few:

Second Plenary Council of Baltimore, 1866 wrote:[/b]
...charged the public schools with "...that corruption of morals which we have to deplore in those of tender years."

Second Provincial Council of Oregon, 1881 wrote:
...declared that "swearing, cursing, and profane expressions are distinctive marks of public school children." and the faithful were enjoined to keep their children out of such pest houses.

Archbishop Segher wrote:
speaking of the public school system, says: "It is grossly and monstrously immoral; a blot, a blemish, and a disgrace on this country; a living scandal and a disgrace which covers its promoters with shame and infamy."

b]Archbishop Williams wrote:[/b]
...said he, "considers himself insulted by the bare suspicion that they would find support from him as favorable to public schools."

Bishop Gilmore of Cleveland wrote:
in 1873, authorized confessors to refuse the sacraments to parents who persisted in sending their children to public schools.

Bishop St. Palais of Indiana wrote:
in 1872 says he, "objects to the public schools because of the infidel source from which they originated."

b]Father Walker of New York wrote:[/b]
says, "The public schools are the nurseries of vice. They are godless schools and they who send their children to them cannot expect the mercy of God. I would as soon administer the sacraments to a dog as to such Catholics."

Fr. Phelan, October 17, 1873. wrote:
says, "The children of the public schools turn out to be learned horse-thieves, scholastic counterfeiters, and well versed in all the schemes of deviltry." He frankly confessed that the Catholics were totally opposed to and bitter enemies of the public school system. He further said, "They would as soon send their children into a pest house, or bury them, as let them go to the public schools. They were afraid the child who left home in the morning would come back with something in its heart as black as hell."

And there are even more pointed statements from most excellent Catholic prelates and lay people.

I was astonished, but must say also that I most heartily agree with these statements, especially now-a-days. These are simply SOME of the reasons we home-schooled all our children.

Taken from:  http://sedevacantist.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=522&sid=b086a571d7fc91fc49e0f3babdab3994