Word came down this week that a Boston Catholic school had rescinded its acceptance of an 8-year-old boy. It turns out the school didn't much care for his parents and administrators took it out on the child.
Schools are places of learning. They welcome children in, teach them not only writing, reading and 'rithmetic, but a sense of belonging. Catholic schools especially infuse education with Christian values of inclusion and service. Which is why excluding this child is so very wrong. The school was far more concerned about its own political agenda than doing the important work of shaping young minds and building future leaders.
Late yesterday, after some bad press, the Archdiocese of Boston was forced to clarify its position on accepting same-sex parents into school. "The Archdiocese does not prohibit children of same sex parents from attending Catholic schools. We will work in the coming weeks to develop a policy to eliminate any misunderstandings in the future."
Good for them. And good for the children whose same-sex parents want them to receive a great education rooted in Christian values. We hope the Archdiocese feels a sense of urgency to codify this new policy. Schools are and must remain welcoming and affirming places for children to learn. Politics should go by the wayside.
The core of what happened this week in Boston -- something similar happened in Boulder, Colo. earlier this year when school officials said two children could not re-enroll because of their parents' sexual orientation -- is about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender parenting.
Thirty years of research and all respected child welfare advocates, including Child Welfare League of America, agree kids raised by gay and lesbian parents are just as healthy and productive as kids raised by straight parents.
But whatever you think about gay parenting, a school's political views should never be taken out on our kids.
Rev. James Martin, S.J.: Same-Sex on the South Shore: The Archdiocese of Boston's Pastoral Decision
Patrick Boyle: Lesbians and the Church of Raised Catholics
Correction: Catholic School-Gay Parents story
Calgary Catholic schools pushed into red, forced to shed 85 jobs
Should Catholic schools reject gay couples' kids?
"The Next Big Political Movement"
Do gays face 'stained glass ceiling' at Catholic colleges?
Pope decries same-sex marriage; sisters debate Catholic faith
God love 'em, but Catholic schools must teach same sex-ed lessons: McGuinty
by the church and when confronted turn a blind eye. go figure!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ettl3zfLWus
There are other alternatives than Catholic school if you also don't want public school or home schooling.
Step up and take the responsibility of instilling your own family and religious values in your children. Don't rely on others to do it. Parents have more influence on their children then any teacher could possibly have.
And you don't want to subject your child to possible hate. Even if they accept your child, the other children may feel free to bully or pick on them. Even in a Catholic school. And it's just as likely the administration will turn a blind eye.
Reconsider public school. You can instill your religion and values at home.
There are scenarios which people have presented here and in other blogs:
(1) Some gays have an affinity for their religion from birth and may feel that they can attempt to change the Church from the inside and that would include having their children in Catholic schools.
(2) They may be honoring the wishes of the birth parents or previous guardians who had the child Baptized into the Church before adoption.
(3) The guilt-ridden gay couple who may be Catholic and may feel conflicted but think they are doing the right thing but putting a children in Catholic school.
(4) Parents (not just gays) who have the attitude, "Take the good cheap education and run with it"
etc..
(3) The guilt-ridden gay couple who may be Catholic and feel conflicted but think they are doing the right thing by putting their child in a Catholic school.
Sheesh.
(1) Why would gay parents want to send their child to a school whose values are in opposition to theirs? And
(2) Why don't they enroll their little precious one in a public school? Public schools are great for multicultural experiences of all sorts. Or
(3) Is it because their child can get a good education on the cheap rather than have to pay private school fee rates? Or
(4) Are they trying to make a statement of some sort?
Will you apply your same questions to them?