A Faith That Does Justice denounces the recent action of Bishop Robert J. McManus, Bishop of the Diocese of Worcester, MA, for taking the “Catholic” moniker away from Nativity School of Worcester, a middle school composed of mostly economically disadvantaged children of color, for displaying flags supporting LGBTQ Pride and Black Lives Matter during the past year.
This action, taken under the guise of a rightful interpretation of Catholic Church teaching, seemingly exposes a more racist agenda. The flags, according to Nativity School president, Thomas McKenney, are meant as a message “that all are welcome at Nativity and this value of inclusion is rooted in Catholic teaching.”
As an interfaith organization, we believe in the human dignity of all God’s people and feel obliged to confront human sinfulness wherever it is found and speak truth to power in defense of all people, regardless of their race, religion, and sexual orientation. Consequently, we, along with other people of good will, ask the Vatican to overrule Bishop McManus’ decision and remove him from his office for having betrayed the trust and goodness of God’s people.
Peter W. Gyves, SJ, MD
Founder and President
A Faith That Does Justice
Thank you Father Gyves! I agree completely with your comments.
I agree. What can we do? Can I write a letter?
Apparently the bishop is unaware of this point made by Pope Francis,“I do not want to end this prologue without referring to the images of hope in the Epilogue. Here you apply part of the research results: hope is nourished by images and narratives that keep it alive within the life of God (theological virtue) and in the history of salvation (commitment).
I am going to mention one of those which you talk about #Black Lives Matter, becasue of its potential for reconcilation. This image allows us to understand that, although hope imagines the future there is also an energy nurtuing hope in an individual (life story) and a common past (History). In fact, depending on our disposition towards the events of the past, this will be the messure of our acceptance and reconciliation of them as a source of wise hope.”
Pope Frnacis quoted in his personal Preface to Alberto Dominguez Munaiz, SJ, Freedom Freed by Hope; A Conversation with Johann B. Metz and William F Lynch on the ‘Identity Crisis’ in the West
Of course the question remains would the bishop care?
President Tom McKenney of Nativity School, Worcester has told us that “Right now, the best way people can support our students and community is by making a donation to our school. Though we’ve been fortunate to attract new donors, we have lost some financial support from those who disagree with our stance, so new partners can help ensure that our school continues to thrive in the coming school year. Our donation page is: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/1438385”