The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte

POLICY: DEFINITION OF “PARTICIPATING PARISHIONER” FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR REDUCED CATHOLIC SCHOOL TUITION

Catholic schools in the diocese of Charlotte may charge a higher rate of tuition for nonparticipating
Catholics and non-Catholics than they do for participating Catholics. The student’s pastor/pastoral administrator determines eligibility for the “participating” Catholic rate.

In determining eligibility, the student and/or the student’s family must:

• Be baptized as a Catholic
• Be registered in the parish
• Attend Mass regularly

Additionally; consideration may also be given to the family’s commitment of time and talent to the parish. Personal involvement in the parish is a responsibility and expectation of every parishioner who is able to do so, especially those parishioners who are parents of children attending Catholic schools. If individual parishes require that the parents of children attending Catholic schools participate in parish activities in addition to regular attendance at Mass. These expectations are to be clearly communicated by the pastor/pastoral administrator to the parents.

However, the amount of financial support provided the parish is not to be considered in determining eligibility for the participating Catholic rate. There are significant tax implications when the level of parishioner contributions is linked to tuition reductions/benefits. As such, it is the policy of the Diocese of Charlotte that the amount of financial support provided the parish not be a factor in determining eligibility for the ‘participating’ Catholic rate.

Bishop Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte

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