Cardinal Dolan Says Finances Caused Catholic School Closings
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The Archbishop of New York celebrated mass with students Wednesday morning as part of National Catholic Schools Week and also commented on pending Catholic school closings across the city.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan presided over a service at St. Joseph's Yorkville Church on the Upper East Side.
He also toured the school and met with children and staff inside their classrooms.
Cardinal Dolan discussed the recent decision to close 13 Catholic schools across the city, saying he's committed to making sure the remaining ones stay open and keep improving.
"We're not closing them because they're inferior," he said. "They are excellent, first-rate schools. They're just struggling with enrollment and finances, and that makes the decision all the more painful."
This year's theme of Catholic Schools Week is "Catholic Schools Raise the Standards", promoting high academic standards and a positive Catholic identity.