Davenport, Iowa, May 8, 2012 / 18:16 pm
An Iowa Catholic school is being called to account for its role in a controversy involving a gay advocacy group's award, won by a student at a diocesan school with staff encouragement.
“The diocesan superintendent of schools is in contact with the school officials,” Diocese of Davenport Communications Director Deacon David Montgomery told CNA on May 8. He confirmed that Prince of Peace Catholic School staff had urged a student to pursue the Matthew Shepard Scholarship.
Offered by the Eychaner Foundation, the scholarship is awarded to “students who are out and proud and who have worked to improve circumstances for the LGBT Community.” This year, the $40,000 award became a point of controversy when it was won by Prince of Peace senior Keaton Fuller.
The incident cause the Davenport diocese to reaffirm its longstanding guest speaker policy on May 7. The policy says the Church “cannot allow any one or any organization which promotes a position that is contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church to present at a diocesan institution.”