To ‘Prepare White Youngsters’: The Catholic School Busing Program in the Archdiocese of Chicago

The Archdiocese of Chicago, acting in response to public school busing and concerns over “racial isolation” in Catholic elementary schools, initiated a voluntary busing program referred to as “Operation Hospitality” in the fall of 1968. Catholic interracialists, driven by their faith in the power of integration, believed busing could help overcome white racial ignorance and bias, an achievement that would have a positive affect on race relations. However, this busing program was controversial. Catholics debated the program, with those both in favor and against employing arguments similar to those used in disputes over busing in Chicago’s public schools. A relatively small number of black families agreed to participate. Furthermore, Operation Hospitality showed that a busing program primarily focused on white racial views could create problems for black participants. Nevertheless, many Catholics, including archdiocesan officials, expressed support for the program. Operation Hospitality also successfully bused a small number of inner city black students to white suburban schools. Additionally, evidence suggests integration did help improve the racial views of white and black participants. Despite these achievements, a growing financial crisis confronting the archdiocese undercut institutional support for Operation Hospitality and resulted in the end of the Catholic school busing program at the conclusion of the 1973–1974 school year.