By Catholic News Service
NEW YORK — Twenty schools in the Archdiocese of New York will not reopen in the fall because of the financial fallout caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Archdiocesan education officials also announced that three schools will merge.
A news release from the archdiocese cited the pandemic for sickening thousands of people with COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, and leading to massive layoffs that have left people without jobs for weeks, leaving them unable to pay school tuition.
The archdiocese also pointed to “a significantly low rate of re-registration for the fall, and added that months of canceled public Masses have resulted in a loss of parish contributions that traditionally help support the schools and also hurt fundraising for scholarships.
Meanwhile, in the neighboring Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, school leaders said six schools will close there as of Aug. 31. They also attributed the closings to the pandemic.
“Children are always the most innocent victims of any crisis, and this COVID-19 pandemic is no exception,” New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan said. “Too many have lost parents and grandparents to this insidious virus and now thousands will not see their beloved school again.”
Cardinal Dolan added that his prayers were with the children and their families most affected.
“Given the devastation of this pandemic, I’m grateful more schools didn’t meet this fate and that Catholic schools nearby are ready to welcome all the kids,” he added.
The archdiocese said that about 2,500 students and 350 staff members will be affected. Eleven of the schools are located in three of New York’s five boroughs — Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island — with the remaining nine in outlying communities including New Rochelle, New Windsor, Poughkeepsie and Yonkers.