The Diocese
Posted: 08/21/2020
“What our children will you lose by virtual education - in terms of emotional development, skills, learning, and achievement – will have a significant impact” California bishops warn against too much distance learning. “In the name of protecting their health in the short term, we may very likely be risking their long-term growth and potential.”
The statement of the Catholic bishops of California truly reflects the concern of all parents, who care for the well-being of their children and would like to avoid risks of their long-term growth and potential.
There really seems to be too much politics involved in the decision making process of all kinds of issues related to the life of society. The latter, however, needs to be taken into serious consideration, for it will certainly impact the children. Humanity can see the effects of COVID-19 and accordingly, can take the necessary and precautionary steps to stay safe. We are not robots and the dignity of people should not be ignored. The best “vaccine” for the virus is to educate people to stay safe. What we all have witnessed during the pandemic has been shocking, vis-à-vis the lockdown. Huge protests were not only allowed but above all, were encouraged, yet civilized gatherings and fellowships have been prohibited.
It is most alarming to see that children are put in a very tough situation to uproot in their identity the gift of interaction with other people. I take the message of the California bishops as a wake up call and a warning to foresee the danger if the upbringing of children through virtual education is extended. And of course, protecting their health in the short term, will impact our children negatively in the long-run.
Thus, the whole concept of virtual education for our children cannot be understood in anyway, but in one word: Disaster.
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
Primate
August 20, 2020
