Boston archdiocesan schools quick to accommodate child of lesbian couple
May 14, 2010
The Boston archdiocese has announced that a child who was denied admission to a parochial school because her parents are lesbians will be placed in another Catholic school.
The Catholic Schools Foundation, an independent funding group that provides $60 million in support for Boston's parochial schools, has announced that it will cut scholarship aid to any school that denies equal treatment for same-sex couples. The superintendent of Catholic schools, Mary Grassa O'Neill, said that the parochial schools do not discriminate against children of same-sex parents, and will endeavor "to eliminate any misunderstandings in the future."
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Further information:
- Archdiocese to help banned student (Boston Globe)
- Boston archdiocese questions parish school's decision to bar child of lesbian couple (CWN, 5/13)
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Posted by: extremeCatholic -
May. 16, 2010 11:20 PM ET USA
If parochial schools will not discriminate against same-sex parents, will they discriminate against parents and teachers who believe and profess that "...Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered. They are contrary to the natural law..." (and Lk 11:17 "a house divided")
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Posted by: bkmajer3729 -
May. 16, 2010 1:58 PM ET USA
Let's be honest; this situation really has nothing to do with the child. This is about politics, power, and misguided personal rights. Two people are forcing an issue fueled by the incomplete and errant opinions of others. The very sad and painful fact is the child still has a soul and we must pray that through all of this "power play", this soul will not be lost. Let us pray!
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Posted by: St Thomas More Pray for Us -
May. 16, 2010 11:08 AM ET USA
This is yet another issue that divides us. Yet here in Boston, our Archbishop spent his week in Florida picking up an honorary doctorate, in Portugal pitching his new book, plus a day in Dublin due to flight delays. Readers of his blog know this was a typical week for him. Whatever your opinion is on the issue, it's sad that the Archbishop lets his chief lay schools bureaucrat and the chief school fundraiser be the ones to preach on "Gospel teaching".
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Posted by: Codefisher -
May. 16, 2010 4:59 AM ET USA
For those jumping to support the boy, because his parents sin is not his, consider his likely effect on his fellow students. I would suggest that it may not be good, and a breach of the schools duty of care to its students.
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Posted by: Contrary1995 -
May. 15, 2010 11:26 PM ET USA
This is yet another good reason for faithful Catholics not to support the archdiocese financially. Let the "Catholic" Foundation pay the bills.
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Posted by: Ray and Ann -
May. 15, 2010 4:10 PM ET USA
Just another example of how the Boston Archdiocese doesn't get it. Where is the consistency of the application of Catholic teaching? What happens when the child becomes "of age" for Communion and Confirmation?
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Posted by: Anselm -
May. 15, 2010 11:42 AM ET USA
Short answer: Canon Law allows it. Easy answer: Never fault a child for the sins of the parents/guardian. Would baptism be denied? No. Would it occur during a Mass? Probably not, it would be private so as not to cause scandal. Believe it or not, most situations the guardians, parents, whatever would understand as they already know the rules and would expect to be asked why and what they are promising. As Jesus said, "Let all the children come to me, and do not prevent them."
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Posted by: -
May. 15, 2010 8:28 AM ET USA
Q: How will the child function in Catholic school when he finds out that the school and the Church teach that his guardians' behavior is objectively depraved--that his family unit is unnatural? A: He won't; he will need to be moved. So, which side of this issue is really looking out for the child?
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Posted by: tarbal793938 -
May. 15, 2010 7:09 AM ET USA
Did not Jesus tell us to suffer the little children unto Him? We sometimes get into this "self-rightous" moods without looking at ourselves and actions first. First of all the child did not choose the parents and he is not living in sin the parents are. I am not the perfect Catholic but I try and I will be the last to judge. We forget that the act is a sin and not the person. Jesus came to heal the sick not the "rightous" so as Christians we have a duty to reach out to them and show them Christ.
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Posted by: garedawg -
May. 14, 2010 9:13 PM ET USA
It's not the kid's fault that her parents are lesbians. The parochial school may be the only exposure to Catholic teaching that the poor girl receives. Sure, the Church is supposed to teach against the homosexual lifestyle, but it is also supposed to show Christian charity.
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Posted by: -
May. 14, 2010 8:44 PM ET USA
Another alternate magisterium?
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Posted by: Defender -
May. 14, 2010 7:49 PM ET USA
Reading the Boston superintendent's statement and one is struck by how laughable it is...she acknowledges the Church's oppostion to homesexuality and its immorality but "it supports the provision of pastoral care for gays and lesbians." What a joke! Add to this the Catholic Schools Foundation statement which stated that they know "Gospel teaching" apparently better than the Church! And the pope spoke out against same-sex marriage in Portugal, O'Malley was there and apparently doesn't care!
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Posted by: adamah -
May. 14, 2010 6:06 PM ET USA
It would seem that it would be more appropriate to call O'Malley "Coward Sean O'Malley" rather than "Cardinal." He needs to go and I pray the Pope remove him soon.
