VENTURA, CA—Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez has appointed Bishop Robert E. Barron to serve on the board of The Institute for Catholic Liberal Education (ICLE), a Ventura-based nonprofit dedicated to serving Catholic educators nationwide through an understanding and appreciation for the riches of authentic Catholic education.
“As a seminary professor and then as Rector at Mundelein Seminary (Chicago) for more 20 years I have come to regard the vital work of properly educating our Catholic students as perhaps the most important work of the Church,” says Most Rev. Robert Barron.
“And now, as a Bishop, I have been given a new, but unique position from which to support Catholic education. I am honored and very much looking forward to representing Archbishop Jose Gomez and the Los Angeles Archdiocese and join the Board of Directors of The Institute for Catholic Liberal Education (ICLE).
Underscoring the importance of the work of ICLE and its textbook division, Catholic Textbook Project (CTP), Bishop Barron continues: “If we are to pass on the teachings of the Church to our children, it is critical that Catholic educators, administrators, and especially parents have the most credible and reliable resources and textbooks at their fingertips. The ICLE and The Catholic Textbook Project are delivering the support and resources that can help educators integrate our faith across other academic disciplines, in the classroom and at home. I want to thank personally Dr. Seeley and Mr. Van Hecke, and particularly Archbishop Gomez, for this opportunity to share in the work of this visionary and exciting organization.”
The bishop’s focus resonates with ICLE leadership.
“At a time when schools are beginning to re-discover the depth of our Catholic cultural heritage and the strong sense of community it builds, it is a tremendous blessing that Bishop Barron will be joining our board,” says Andrew T. Seeley, Ph.D., Executive Director of The Institute. “As a theologian and as a remarkably effective evangelist, Bishop Barron brings a wealth of wisdom and understanding. We look forward to working with him in our outreach to Catholic educators.”
Michael Van Hecke, M.Ed., Headmaster of Augustine Academy, founder of ICLE, and founder of the nonprofit’s textbook division, Catholic Textbook Project, agrees.
“Bishop Barron has a faith-driven focus and energy that’s solidly anchored in the teachings of Christ and the Magisterium of the Church,” notes Mr. Van Hecke. “We have so much to learn from him, especially in ways we can further help educators to most effectively implement the Church’s vision in their institutions of learning.”
“We are called to courage,” adds Mary Pat Donoghue, an accomplished, 23-year veteran Catholic educator and leader who became well-known for dramatically turning around a struggling Catholic school in Archdiocese of Washington D.C.—taking it from $500,000 debt with dwindling enrollment and transforming it into a thriving classical education Catholic school in less than three years, and who now serves as ICLE’s Director of School Services.
“It takes courage, focus, and clarity of purpose to cut through today’s noise and distractions and not only plant a solid flag for Christ and the fullness of His teachings in every aspect of Catholic education, but also to rally and attract others to see the Church’s vision for Catholic education,” Ms. Donoghue explains. “Bishop Barron understands this. He lives it every day, in his actions and words, and he executes it with compassion, graciousness and a generous dose of good humor. We couldn’t ask for a better new board member!”
For more information, visit: www.catholicliberaleducation.org.