Pro-Obama Catholic group urges Cardinal O’Malley to support same-sex couple

Washington D.C., May 13, 2010 / 17:06 pm

The pro-Obama group, Catholics United, has launched a campaign putting pressure on Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley to allow the enrollment of a lesbian couple's adopted child in one of Boston's Catholic schools.

The Catholic elementary school in Hingham, Mass. decided to withdraw the acceptance of an 8-year-old boy's enrollment after the principal and pastor learned the child's parents were a lesbian couple.

Authorities at St. Paul Elementary School explained that the decision was aimed at protecting the boy, since the teachings of the Church regarding same-sex marriage are at odds with the lesbian couple's lifestyle.

“We still have an opportunity to put a stop to this. Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley has yet to take a position on the school's action. If he hears from enough of us, we think he could be convinced to do the right thing and reverse the decision,” urged the Catholics United web site.

“A couple of months ago, a Catholic school in Boulder, Colorado prevented a student from re-enrolling - just because his parents were in a same-sex relationship. We hoped this was an isolated incident. Sadly, it's not. Now an 8-year-old boy's acceptance to St. Paul Elementary School in Hingham, Massachusetts has been rescinded for the same reason,” Catholics United continued.

“Discrimination has no place in our nation's Catholic schools. Help us send a message that every child is worthy of a Catholic education, regardless of his or her family composition,” the statement said.

Catholics United has joined Family Equality Council, Dignity USA, Human Rights Campaign and other gay rights organizations to put pressure on Cardinal O’Malley.

The cardinal, who is currently accompanying Pope Benedict XVI in his visit to Fatima, has not yet intervened in the debate, however, the Archdiocese of Boston has announced it will try to accommodate the lesbian couple’s desire to enroll their child in another Catholic school.