QC Times Intolerant of Religous Diversity

The Quad-City Times, in its editorial Wednesday, exhorts all Iowans to “take pride” in the eight Iowa recipients of Matthew Shepard scholarships, including a student from Clinton.

While we are always pleased to honor outstanding students for their scholarly achievements, it is not entirely clear what the QC Times wants us to “take pride in” concerning this batch of students. It is unclear precisely what the basis for awarding of these scholarships is.

Although the editorial alludes to “academic achievement”, it does not spell out further the extent of the achievement. Instead the Times suggests that, in the case of the QC area student, the primary basis was a personal essay he submitted along with the application for scholarship. The essay disclosed “his sexuality” and noted the “heartfelt acceptance and support” provided by family, friends, students, and faculty at the Catholic school the scholarship recipient attends.

We learn in the editorial that the organization awarding the scholarships is a Des Moines-based foundation apparently established to recognize “highly achieving gay, lesbian,bisexual, or transgender high school seniors”. We believe one can presume that the criteria  prized most highly in evaluating eligibility for a scholarship is the applicant’s sexual orientation with scholarship secondary. The editorial suggests that the scholarship was awarded “not just for divulging his (sexual) orientation, but actively working with school leaders to cultivate tolerance and acceptance”.

Martin Amos, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Davenport is criticized by the Times’ editorial board for not allowing the foundation representatives to present the award on Catholic school property. Bishop Amos  had announced that the foundation providing the scholarship “promotes a position that is contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church”.

We realize of course, that to comment on this matter with anything but the highest praise and approval surely invites the condemnation of the Times and the liberal community within and outside the Church. Nevertheless, we believe that expression of another view is not inappropriate.

There is no animosity toward the student receiving this award nor toward those who have supported him and fully accepted his orientation and his decision to divulge. It is not clear, however, why others of us in the community and the Catholic Church should be called upon to “take pride” in this event. What are we to celebrate ? A young man chose to share with the public his personal sexual orientation. That’s fine. Those who wish to go beyond simply accepting his  sexual preferences are certainly free to do so. They may celebrate it and promote it and even encourage others who may have such proclivities.

None of us have a right to treat this young man unfairly or subject him to disrespect, or worse.

But we are not obliged to endorse, promote, even celebrate, or “take pride in” his personal decisions. Nor is the Catholic Church obliged to honor the occasion and is not deserving of being held up as some grotesque caricature of intolerance and insensitivity by the self appointed arbiters of proper behavior of the Quad City Times editorial board.
DLH

0

0