Leaders from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) are urging Congress to grant emergency relief to Catholic Schools.

In a letter from the USCCB’s Committee on Catholic Education, the conference asked that Catholic schools be added to the list of institutions in need of emergency relief for the next COVID relief package.

“The economic devastation that has hit so many of America’s families has made it impossible for many struggling families to continue paying tuition,” the leaders said in a release issued on the USCCB website. “As a result, already 140 Catholic schools have permanently closed their doors, and hundreds more are in danger of being unable to open in the fall.”

The result of Catholic schools closing throughout the nation will impact lower-income families, as Catholic schools are committed to offering affordable schooling options for those who want a private school experience without the price tag of conventional private schools.

In the letter, USCCB has asked that Congress earmark 10% of the emergency K-12 education funding for scholarships that would be made available to lower and middle-income families.