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ARLINGTON, VA --  The Board of Directors and the President of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) are issuing this statement against school violence and promoting peace and hope. 

Karen M. Ristau, president, said, “To find healing after the tragedy in Newtown we must work together to eliminate all types of violence, ban military-assault weapons and support stronger mental health programs. This is the greatest memorial we can build to those whose lives were lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School.”

The NCEA statement follows:    

“Promoting Peace and Hope

The National Catholic Educational Association believes schools and parish programs should be places that teach peace and hope for all students and their families, where all are treated with respect and where all can learn.

We add our support to those who are working

• For the elimination of all types of violence
• For a ban on the sale and possession of military-assault weapons
• For the promotion of programs that provide mental and emotional health resources, sensible safety instruction, and support healthy families.”

Established in 1904, the NCEA is the largest private professional education organization in the world, representing 200,000 Catholic educators serving 7.6 million students in Catholic elementary and secondary schools, in religious education programs, in seminaries and in colleges and universities.