AFP believes leadership training is key to the future of the nation, hence our early involvement in the effort to save the service academies, teaming up with STARRS.us at USAFA, The MacArthur Society at USMA, and the Calvert Group at Navy.

The 92 year old Marmion Academy in Illinois has been elite and distinguished in creating male leaders while prepping them for college or the military.  

However, there is an epic struggle going on between current leadership and parents who want to retain the heritage of the school.

Since COVID, the school has changed.  The leadership rolls up to Fr. Joel Rippinger, the current Abbot of Marmion Abbey.     Under his leadership, the leaders of the Academy acquiesce to Abbot Rippinger.

Of particular significance;

• In an Academy that professes making tomorrow’s leaders, Abbot Joel has refused to get back to the parents or meet with the parents despite his numerous promises to do so. He hides behind promises to get back to the parents, but responds only in woke word salads so as to stall out any meaningful meeting with parents who pay over $15,000 per year;
• As you will see in the press release, this was done in the dark of the night. Abbot states that they met with parents, but won’t say who and none of the parents in the group have stated that they’ve ever been consulted during their studies.
• Note that they still advertise a school for young men, while courting girls to join their transition. (see below). And in his message, Abbot Rippinger relies on a “diverse interconnected world” and makes no mention of Christ, our Lord or Savior.  https://www.marmion.org/s/1356/bp21/academy/interior.aspx?sid=1356&gid=1&pgid=4878 
• The ones leading the call for an all male school are the parents, and mom’s who want son’s who will grow under Christ and a traditional catholic education. Abbot Joel has abandoned the boys, and the parents and hides.  His refusal to have difficult conversations exemplifies Marmion’s need for Christlike servant leadership.  The boys and the parents deserve better.
• The parents involved have a way to rescue the school financially as the attrition is a reason that Marmion has made this pivot. A plan was presented to partner with the leadership so as to keep the school all male.  The parents commitment would help Marmion regain the numbers that it is losing without turning into a coed school

You can download the entire press release from the parent's group below: