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Decree issued for Saint John Paul II Academy

Saint John Paul II Academy, the Archdiocese’ newest Catholic high school received some welcome news on Oct. 22 with Archbishop Miller issuing a decree recognizing the Academy as a Catholic school.
Decree signing
Society board chair Mrs. Dallas Parsons and Archbishop J. Michel Miller, CSB, put their signatures to the Decree and Affiliation Agreement.

Saint John Paul II Academy, the Archdiocese’ newest Catholic high school received some welcome news on Oct. 22 with Archbishop Miller issuing a decree recognizing the Academy as a Catholic school. 

The decree in part states: “Therefore, in consideration of these and other facts, and having reviewed the Statutes (“Constitution and Bylaws”) of the Saint John Paul II Academy Society, which operates Saint John Paul II Academy, I hereby decree that Saint John Paul II Academy be recognized as a Catholic School pursuant to Canon 803.” 

It is particularly fitting that the decree be issued Oct. 22 on the memorial of St. John Paul II.  Its formal promulgation represents another pillar in the governance structure set up for the Academy.

“I am very pleased to issue this decree,” notes Archbishop Miller.  “It is another important milestone for the Academy.”

A formal signing ceremony took place at the John Paul II Pastoral Centre involving Archbishop Miller, the Very Rev. Gary Franken, Vicar General, and Mrs. Dallas Parsons, chair of the board of Saint John Paul II Academy Society.

“It is an incredibly proud moment for the school and all those who have worked so hard to make this school a reality,” says Saint John Paul II Academy Foundation board chair Mr. Troy Van Vliet. “It is another step forward for us and I wish to thank Archbishop Miller for his steadfast support of this project from day one.”

In addition to the issuing of the decree the Archbishop also signed an affiliation agreement between the Archbishop and Saint John Paul II Academy Society. The agreement outlines how the Academy interacts with the Archdiocese and in particular its relationship with the Catholic Independent Schools of Vancouver Archdiocese (CISVA).