Last week a Catholic grade school in Boulder, CO made headlines by refusing to let the child of lesbian parents to re-enroll in their school, saying they had to “protect the faith”.
The parish priest went on to say in his blog:
“Our school is a Catholic school, and our teaching on the sanctity of marriage is as clear as a bell,” the blog said. “So, the decision I made was based on my conviction that we needed to rest on the side of backing our beliefs and our values. We need to fight for our Catholic values, because here in Boulder it seems no one else is.”
This has enraged many – not just the gay/lesbian community, but anyone who believes in human rights. Parents of students at the school have protested, many have made calls and sent letters.
I am a recovering Catholic. I have not been to church in around 10 years, except for a Catholic wedding 2 years ago. It is actions like this that have made me turn from my Catholic faith to just a non-denominational belief in God. I am finding that the Catholic church actually advocates for hate. Discrimination like this toward groups of people is nothing but hateful. I cannot condone that, and I do not want to identify myself with that.
I don’t know a lot about religion, but I do know this: God loves us all. It is not our place to judge – we will be judged by our Creator upon death.
If this priest and the Catholic church is so adamant about “preserving the faith”, is he allowing children of single parents to attend the school? Those born out of wedlock to a mother who had premarital sex? Is he allowing children of divorced parents to attend the school? The Catholic church does not condone divorce. Have students at the school lied, stolen or cheated? Have parents of children at the school had extramarital affairs? Do parents of students use birth control? ALL of these things are seen as immoral or illegal in the eyes of the Church.
So why are we placing judgment against a child who comes from a home with two loving parents just because their parents happen to be the same sex? Why is this child singled out, and not the children of other parents who have likely sinned in the Church’s eyes?
Doesn’t God say to love one another as He loves us? If the Bible were to be taken literally, we’d have people walking around missing hands, and women who wouldn’t speak in church.
“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched.” (Mark 9:43)
“Women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but should be submissive, as the law also says.” (1 Corinthians 14:34)
Yet when it comes to the topic of gays and lesbians, the Church suddenly wants you to follow those verses to a tee. Why the double standard?
This whole issue has me seeing red when it comes to the Catholic faith. We are taught to love and live a life worthy for Jesus, yet we cannot show love and compassion toward GOOD people who happen to have a different lifestyle than us? All I have to say for that, Mr. Holier Than Thou Priest, is judge not lest you be judged. (Matthew 7:1)
About Katie
This outrages me. I am a Catholic but no longer belong to a specific church. How can this school justify such actions against an innocent child? I personally know a child who was is being raised by lesbian parents and this child is a very happy, well adjusted little person. I also personally know children who are being raised in the “traditional” mom and dad homes who are troubled and sad. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter who is parenting these children as long as they are doing it properly whether it be two women, two men, a single mom, a single dad or a man and woman together.
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I used to be Catholic and now I just consider myself Christian and I completley agree with you. If you are going to stick to one thing the Bible says then you need to stick to all of it, but the most important lesson in the New Testament is to Love one another. We’re not showing love when we can’t look past someone’s sins. It’s not our place to judge anyways. It’s between that person and God.
It is also wrong to hold the child responsible regardless of the wrong in the parent’s life.
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All I can say is that is ridiculous. A child is a child and they deserve education no mater what. Ugh. This just irritates me!
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Well, that is Catholic church. They have this strict policy to preserve human sanctity. And this is always hard. It’s not just gays/lesbians, but even a divorced person cannot be remarried in a Catholic church. It is hard to be straight, to live almost like a saint.
Following your lovely blog from MBC.
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http://olahmomma.com, a mom’s blog
That is not right!
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I don’t believe in organized religion and Catholicism plays a big part in that decision. I’m not Catholic but my husband is, even though he does not agree with most of its principles. OMG, don’t even get me started on the issues I have with that faith. Not treating everyone equally, such as in this case, is but ONE of the issues I have.
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that is just sad!
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So sad, I like the point that if single parents children can attend this school or those children of parents who have chosen not to marry then someone who is with the same sex should be able to attend. I haven’t a clue about much religion, a little bit about Christianity was taught to me through the years working and asking questions of my previous bosses, however, I do know from what I have learned that it is up to God to judge .. no one else. We are to love all creatures & human beings the same, can’t stand judgement passed on people and if passed upon children that is just even more sad to me. HUGS for that family, I believe that this is a hard topic for many.
Yo estoy de acuerdo con el director del colegio. Las familias que viven en pecado no deben de ser admitidas en el colegio por el bien del resto del alumnado. Los argumentos que presenta Katie no son válidos, porque las madres solteras y las madres divorciadas no viven en pecado necesariamente. Además, la Iglesia Católica no promueve el odio ni la discriminación, la Iglesia enseña el camino al cielo.
I agree with the school´s director. Families living in sin should not be allowed to enroll their kids for the good of the rest of the students. Katie´s arguments are flawed because single parents and divorced parents do not live in sin necessarily. The Church does not promote hate nor discrimination. The Church teaches the way to heaven, taught to humankind by Jesus Christ. The kid of lesbian parents is a victim of satanic legislation. Lesbian love is not true love because it is based on sin and all sin is selfish. I hope my comment helps.
The church teaches that hate is wrong. Discrimination based on ANYTHING is hate. The church teaches that premarital sex, and divorce are wrong in their eyes – so I’m sorry to say but your argument is flawed. I’m sorry that you are filled with so much hate.