Stanley Carlson-Thies

All FBOs need religious freedom, and to utilize the religious freedoms that exist in American law, all FBOs should carefully examine how they state the religious views they claim to be guided by and how those views undergird organizational and service policies and practices. Different religious communities have not only distinctive religious convictions but also typically have different expectations for how religious beliefs should be reflected in policies and practices of associated FBOs. Catholic FBOs may find two guides commissioned by the Cardinal Newman Society (CNS) to be of particular value.

“Faith and Morals Language in Catholic School Teacher Employment Documents,” a June, 2015, “Best Practices Brief,” reviews policies and terms adopted by various Catholic schools and dioceses to ensure that teachers and other staff fully understand and are committed to the religious expectations and aims of Catholic education. Because teachers and others that identify as Catholic do not always adhere closely to official church teachings, and because Catholic institutions often do not employ only Catholics, it is vital that Catholic employers take careful steps to identify suitable applicants.

An earlier CNS document, “Protecting Catholic Colleges from External Threats to Their Religious Liberty,” published in January, 2011, focuses specifically on Catholic higher education institutions and their need to ensure that their Catholic identity is not only clearly stated but also clearly embodied in the operations of the colleges and universities.