NEW YORK, NY (Catholic Online) - Most Reverend Francis A. Chullikatt, the Vatican's permanent observer in the UN said, "Parents have the right and duty to choose schools inclusive of homeschooling, and they must possess the freedom to do so, which in turn, must be respected and facilitated by the state."

Chullikatt added a warning, "For some time now, my delegation has noticed a disconcerting trend, namely, the desire on the part of some to downplay the role of parents in the upbringing of their children, as if to suggest somehow that it is not the role of parents, but that of the state."

As moral relativism and liberalism become more pervasive in world governments and societies, there is a coinciding trend to downplay the role of parents in bringing up their children. Children are increasingly regarded as assets and wards of the state and parents have less freedom than ever to bring their children up properly. 

Part of that upbringing may be to choose an education free of liberal bias and moral decay, which sadly is seeping deeper into national education systems, including in the US. 

The concern isn't merely a question of freedom, but of human rights. Michael Farris, president of Parentalrights.org said, "This is an important and welcome announcement. We are pleased with the Vatican's recognition of the human rights principles involved in these issues. Education plays a vital role in achieving these goals and parents' rights must be protected. The Vatican's statement is an important addition to our work to protect parental rights."

A number of countries have enacted laws which threaten parents who do not place their children into public systems. Some families have even reported fleeing persecution because they have refused to send their children to state schools. 

In the United States, homeschooling remains a critical choice for parents who want to manage the exposure of their children to the influences of secular liberalism and vice. 

© 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.