Much has been written in the past week about Sacred Heart of Jesus in Boulder and its decision to not allow the child of lesbian guardians to attend.  Unfortunately, for staying true to Catholic teachings, the school is being condemned and that is a shame. 

Catholic teachings – and for that matter the Bible itself – are very clear on the sanctity of marriage being between a man and a woman. 

While most other religions have bowed to social pressures, the Catholic Church has not.  Most practicing Catholics know that the appropriateness of a behavior and that which is right and wrong doesn’t come and go with the tides of social opinion. 

In its mission statement, the school says that it ‘instructs students in our Catholic faith.’  That faith demands agreement and compliance with the basic tenants of the belief.  Common sense dictates that.  The school makes it clear that, “Students are instilled with socially and morally responsible behavior that recognizes the value of right and wrong.”

The admission policy for the Archdiocese of Denver Schools clearly states:  “No person shall be admitted as a student in any Catholic school unless that person and his/her parent(s) subscribe to the school’s philosophy and agree to abide by the educational policies and regulations of the school and Archdiocese.”  Obviously those that do not live in accordance with the church and its values are in violation of this policy. 

In his blog, Father Bill Breslin wrote, “We need to fight for our Catholic values because here in Boulder it seems, no one else is.” Sacred Heart has stood strong against those who would force their politically correct ideals and values on it – all while within the liberal bastion of Boulder. 

That is not an easy task and Father Breslin and the school’s faculty, parents and students have elected to live by God’s law and the Catholic Church’s teachings.  They should be commended for standing by their beliefs and not swaying with the winds of political correctness. 

Morals do not change.  The compass may veer every now and then but it always points true. 

Father Breslin closed out his blog entry with a very insightful response to the issue and he in fact sums it up better than I could. 

Would that I could wave a magic wand and make all of the present struggle disappear.  I hate the fact that I had to make a choice between being loving and protecting the teachings of the church. 

As I look around Boulder I recognize that there is ample love all around; but there is a scarcity of discipleship.  I chose to be on the side of what was lacking.  I chose to protect the faith over doing what would have looked like the loving thing to do.  Perhaps some of you parents have been in the position to make a decision for your family that looked like the opposite of love, but was the right decision anyway. 

My brothers and sisters, our school is a Catholic school and our teaching on the sanctity of marriage is as clear as a bell.  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.  In many ways, I feel quite alone, even though I know I am not alone.  But I do feel like Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner—“alone, alone, all, all alone- alone on a wide, wide sea.”  If you’re upset, blame me.  Not our principal.  She’s an excellent principal.  I’m the one who made this decision.  If you want to blame, blame me, your Catholic priest for being – Catholic!

Oh, for the fleshpots of earlier days.  How long has it been now that we have felt intimidated about our teaching on the sacrament of marriage – even to the point of feeling that we should apologize for our faith.  That kind of spirit is not one of a true disciple of Christ.  In the last analysis, I asked this question: why should we compromise our faith for someone else’s behavior? 

Stand strong Sacred Heart of Jesus and Father Breslin.  You are not alone. 

One Response to “Catholic school in Boulder under fire for holding true to its beliefs”