Some additional thoughts regarding the controversy involving Clinton’s Prince of Peace Catholic High School and the Eychaner Foundation’s scholarship award to a gay senior at the school:
Upon learning of the decision by the Diocese of Davenport to ban the presenting of the scholarship by representatives of the Eychaner Foundation on school property, the president of the Prince of Peace school board claimed to be “disappointed and confused”.
Saying that he didn’t understand “what the big deal is about somebody from the foundation coming to present the award”, the board president noted that it was common practice for representatives of organizations awarding scholarships to make the presentations to the winning students.
In announcing the decision to not permit the presentation by a foundation representative, Bishop Martin Amos said the award promoted a position “that is contrary to the teachings of the Catholic church”.
The Scholarship in question is awarded by the Eychaner Foundation to “highly achieving gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) high school seniors”. Successful applicants for a scholarship are required to be “out and proud” and have worked within their school to “improve circumstances for the LGBT Community”.
Now that the “controversy” has been resolved through concessions by the Diocese which permit a Foundation representative to appear at the presentation, the episode seems certain to fade from public attention. (Certainly for the Quad City Times, the issue is resolved, success in their agenda has been achieved).
It leaves behind, however, some questions which one would think deserve further scrutiny. And those questions might cause folks other than the president of the Prince of Peace school board to be “disappointed and confused”.
For one, there is the question of whether the school receives funding of any kind from the Diocese of Davenport, along with its formal recognition as a Catholic institution. If so, then should the board president be shocked, confused as it were, that the Bishop might have interest and authority over the school’s activities to the extent that they are consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church?
It must be noted that Catholic Bishops in June 2004 issued a strong consensus statement that: “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”
In light of this position, a Catholic education institution ought to be instinctively on guard about extending a platform to organizations such as the Eychaner Foundation whose antagonism toward the Church’s position on homosexuality is publicly proclaimed.
A significant question arises out of the fact that it has been reported that the recipient of the scholarship learned of the program and “was encouraged to apply (for it) by Prince of Peace”. The school also issued a statement that a foundation committee member would be allowed to present the award at the ceremony. Apparently, Bishop Amos was not aware of such a statement before the announcement of the award and, thus it would seem to be unauthorized.
And, who at the school told the student about the program and in what ways was he “encouraged’ to apply?
It has been noted that the student has received “heartfelt acceptance and support” from students and faculty of Prince of Peace, all well and good. But, according to the Eychaner Foundation, to qualify for a scholarship an applicant must not only be “openly LGBT” but also have exhibited “demonstrable LGBT activism and community service”.
It doesn’t seem unreasonable for the Catholic community at large, who may be providing in part some of the funding for this school, to learn more about the specifics of the “LGBT activism” that is encouraged and supported by faculty and students. What are some of the actions, programs, activities which are taken at, and sanctioned by, the school “to improve circumstances for the LGBT community”?
Are there activities, even classroom instruction, to provide exposure to, and even promotion of, the LGBT life style and are they open to all students at all grades at Prince of Peace?
(Editor’s note: Our position is not “anti-gay” nor in opposition to the acceptance of and respect for the legitimate rights and concerns of persons so identified as “LGBT”. There is profound concern, though, about what could be characterized as “bullying” tactics on the part of some who support the giving of a public platform to the Eychaner Foundation when that is in direct opposition to the teachings and position of the Catholic Church. With these people and entities there seems to be no reciprocating acceptance of and respect for the beliefs and positions of others. They may couch their position in terms of “social justice” and “respect for human rights” but their tactics are to engender maximum negative public opinion by attributing the vilest motives to those of a different viewpoint than theirs and to characterize their own views to be of the highest moral content.)
Just sayin’. DLH
