Diocese of Baton Rouge Accepted into Lumen Accreditation

The twenty-five schools of the Diocese of Baton Rouge have been accepted into Lumen Accreditation offered by The Catholic University of America (CUA). 
 
The Lumen Accreditation process consists of a six-year cycle of renewal. Phases throughout the process advance and promote the distinctive excellence of P-12 Catholic school education, while accompanying Catholic school communities as they strive for continuous growth in fulfilling their missions spiritually, intellectually, culturally, and operationally. 
 
Catholic leaders, including Bishop Michael Duca, are excited about the renewal and transformation that this accreditation will bring: “By assuring quality through accreditation with Lumen, the faithful of our diocese are guaranteed of our desire not only to fulfill the mission of our Catholic schools, but also to unite Catholic culture with academic excellence.”  
 
The Diocese of Baton Rouge will undergo an internal review, an external validation from a Lumen Accreditation visit team, and develop priorities for improvement throughout the six-year accreditation cycle. 
 
Dr. Peter Kilpatrick, president of The Catholic University of America in Washington, noted that “Lumen, a distinctly Catholic accreditation program that is centered on Gospel values with fidelity to the Church, will encourage authentic conversations and dialogue regarding Catholic identity and enable our Catholic schools to place the proper emphasis on the human person.” 
Lumen accreditation is currently active in 10 states, 19 (arch)dioceses, and 513 schools and programs. 
 
With over 200,000 Catholics in 64 ecclesiastical parishes, one university and four collegiate ministry locations, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge is a culturally diverse faith community encompassing 12 civil parishes in south central Louisiana. Under the leadership of Bishop Michael G. Duca, the diocese seeks to encourage those it serves to encounter Jesus Christ and one another through prayer, acts of charity, and the sacramental life.