William Murphy (Bishop of Rockville Centre) - Catholic School Closings

Catholic School Closings

On December 5, 2011, Murphy made the decision to close six Roman Catholic elementary schools on Long Island (St. John Baptist de La Salle Regional School in Farmingdale, St. Catherine of Sienna School in Franklin Square, St. Ignatius Loyola School in Hicksville, Sacred Heart School in North Merrick, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Lindenhurst and Prince of Peace Regional School in Sayville). Incensed parishioners of Prince of Peace Regional School placed a full page personal ad in Newsday on December 21, 2011 challenging the Bishop's decision, arguing that enrollment was actually up in 2010 & 2011. Students of Saint Catherine of Sienna School held a protest on December 21, 2011 that was broadcast on CBS2 News, News 12 Long Island and 1010 WINS News Radio. Parents speaking at the rally argued that they were excluded from the decision making process. Podium speakers stated that several munificent parishioners offered to make sizable donations to meet the relatively small financial shortcomings of the parish school, which they claimed Murphy would not entertain. Additionally, parishioners at the protest alleged that 68 students enrolled in Saint Catherine of Sienna’s nursery and pre-kindergarten programs were excluded from the Bishop’s financial analysis.

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