ALLEGHENY CO., Pa. — Parishioners, parents and students all gathered Sunday afternoon in an attempt to save St. Philip Catholic School in Crafton.
The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh recently announced the 106-year-old elementary school will merge with another school in Green Tree. Families recently started a petition to keep the school open.
The Committee to Save St. Philip School came out in groves dressed in school colors and holding signs that said “Save Our School For A Rosary Walk.” The group walked the “Spirit Walk Route” to show their support for saving the building.
The committee formally appealed Bishop David Zubik’s decision on Feb. 22 and has been gaining support through the petition and in-person “mandate signings.” That petition already has more than 2,000 signatures.
“We’ve asked questions for transparency around the financials and the determinations that were used, and we feel all of that is not being shared,” said Alexis Barone-Katze, a committee member. “It’s not very transparent. And to be quite frank, the process they followed is invalid.”
By law, the bishop has 30 days to respond to the formal appeal -- putting the deadline a few weeks away. The group told Channel 11 it has made numerous attempts to meet with Zubik.
The diocese acknowledged the group’s appeal and said it will respond to those who filed it:
“Sadly, this is not the first time that we have seen emotional reaction to a decision to merge schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. We understand and share in the sadness that comes with the realization that change is required to create sustainable, accessible and affordable Catholic education for children in our diocese. Again, we invite the families and parishioners involved to work with us to carry out that mission.”