Good Christ...

[ebonlock]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-twodads2jan02,0,3188265.story?coll=la-home-local

In a clash that pits Catholic teachings against shifting values of American society, a group of parishioners and parents has accused Orange County church leaders of defying Pope John Paul II by allowing a gay couple to enroll their two boys in a diocese school.

Eighteen people signed a letter last month demanding that St. John the Baptist School in Costa Mesa accept only families that sign a pledge to live by Catholic doctrine — a move that effectively would kick the boys out of school. The church regards homosexual acts as sinful, and in 2003 the pontiff condemned marriage and adoption by same-sex couples.
[...]
But Father Martin Benzoni, who oversees the 550-student elementary and middle school, last week rejected the group's demands. He released a new policy stating that a child's education comes first and that a family's background "does not constitute an absolute obstacle to enrollment in the school."
[...]
But several other conservative and liberal Catholic leaders backed the school, saying that regardless of the church's views on homosexuality and same-sex unions, it would be wrong to punish the children.

"To single out these kids because of their gay parents would be invidious," said William Donohue, president of the conservative Catholic League. "You cannot burden the innocent."
[...]
But Father Gerald M. Horan, superintendent of schools run by the Diocese of Orange, rejected the idea of a parental covenant. If the school barred gay parents from enrolling their children, they would also have to ban children of parents who violate other church teachings, including those who are divorced, use birth control or weren't married in the church, he said.
[...]
It's unclear how many parents at the school are aware of the debate or how many object to the boys' enrollment. But one mother said she and several other parents support the school's decision.

"It's a shame that a minority of loonies chooses to hate instead of love," said Katie Flores, whose daughter is a classmate of the boys. "Let he [who is] without sin cast the first stone."

Comments

[technocowboy.livejournal.com]

If I were to have a little girl, I'd love for her to be involved in the Girl Scouts, too. They don't discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation like the Boy Scouts do. Because honestly, it's more okay in this society for a girl to be a lesbian than it is for a boy to grow up gay, which makes me pretty damn angry, too. And I would totally recommend sending kids to private schools over public schools, honestly. There's not enough money to fund the public schools and make them a viable alternative. *shrug* Keep in mind that all of this is just my opinion. Being a gay man myself, I would *never* subject my children to anything remotely resembling something so homophobic as the Catholic Church or the Boy Scouts of America. There are other, better, more inclusive, positive organizations out there for kids of all backgrounds to enjoy.