Recently, locally elected state representatives have proposed an increase in property tax to provide security in our schools. In view of recent events in our nation, this is a most commendable proposal.
Upon review, however, the funds generated would be applied only to state-supported schools. Private or parochial school students wouldn’t receive comparable protection.
Are all children’s lives equal or are some more important? Is providing police protection for the public elementary school, but not the parochial school across the street giving a message to the would-be crime perpetrator that he can select the one that’s unprotected?
The important question that must be addressed is this: Are we interested in protecting all our children? Some might say that the United States Constitution prohibits providing aid to a religious school, but children are children regardless of what building they’re in. The health and safety of all children is our collective responsibility.
Rev. Monsignor Vincent Kelly, pastor, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Fort Lauderdale
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