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Furor at Catholic high school after nun presents Church teaching on homosexuality
LIFE SITE NEWS ^ | Kirsten Andersen

Posted on 04/02/2014 6:57:22 PM PDT by Morgana

CHARLOTTE, NC, April 2, 2014 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A North Carolina Roman Catholic school is holding a meeting today to address the concerns of parents and students who say they are outraged about remarks a visiting nun made criticizing homosexuality, divorce, and sex outside of marriage during a recent speech.

Dominican Sister Jane Dominic Laurel, who often speaks to high school and college-age students on matters of sexuality, gave an hour-long presentation to students at Charlotte Catholic High School on March 21 called “Masculinity and Femininity: Difference and Gift.” School officials told the Catholic News Herald she spent about half her allotted time discussing homosexuality, blaming its rising influence in part on fatherless homes created by divorce and extramarital sex.

Sister Laurel is a member of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, often called the Nashville Dominicans, which is an order known for its fidelity to the Magisterium.

Although the Catholic Church has always held both homosexual behavior and sex outside of marriage to be gravely sinful, students and parents at the Catholic school reacted to her remarks with shock and anger, launching both an online petition and a letter-writing campaign calling the sister’s words “offensive and unnecessarily derogatory.”

“We the students of Charlotte Catholic High School would like to issue a formal complaint regarding Sr. Jane Dominic’s speech given on on [sic] Friday, March 21st,” the petition begins. “We found some of ideas [sic] expressed to be both offensive and unnecessarily derogatory. We are incensed that you knew the content of this speech and allowed these ideas to be expressed in a school that should be preaching a message of love and acceptance.”

“As rational people, we know that most homosexual people lead healthy, normal and productive lives like their heterosexual counterparts,” the students wrote. “We resent the fact that a school wide assembly became a stage to blast the issue of homosexuality after Pope Francis said in an interview this past fall that ‘we can not [sic] insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptives [sic] methods. We are angry that someone decided they knew better than our Holy Father and invited a speaker who addressed the issue of homosexuality to our school to speak twice in the course of one school year.”

Students weren’t the only ones outraged by the sister’s remarks. Parents have supplemented the students’ petition with an e-mail campaign targeting the Diocese of Charlotte, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Vatican with complaints about Sr. Jane’s speech.

“In my home, there was outrage, embarrassment, sadness, disbelief, and further reason for my 16-year-old to move as far away from her religion as possible and as soon as she can,” wrote divorcee Shelley Earnhardt, according to the Charlotte Observer.

Click "like" if you want to defend true marriage.

Another letter sent to school officials and signed by current students and alumni said, “Last week’s presentation represents a betrayal of trust. Your responsibility to provide nurturing and informative education to the students of Charlotte Catholic was shrugged off. Your mission to truthfully convey the teachings of the Church—the teachings of love, compassion, and humility—was replaced by teachings of hate and intolerance.”

Parents, alumni and students involved in the petition and letter writing campaigns are demanding that the school and Church apologize.

But not all students were upset by the nun’s presentation. A group of students who adhere to Catholic teaching on sexuality have launched a counter-petition condemning the protesters’ actions. “We are outraged that the topics talked about are being debated within a community where the shared faith teaches us what truly is holy and that anyone would stand up against a nun, who has given her life for the Lord, and blantly [sic] deny God's teachings,” the petition reads.

The students defending Sister Jane say, “We believe that every human regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation, should be treated with love and respect.” They add, “We accept homosexual men and women into our community with open arms.” But they explain, “We do not approve of homosexual marriage or activities, because we understand that it is against the Holy Bible. … We believe that it is important to discuss these topics so that the young people of today may better understand righteousness and God's divine will.”

Reaction from local Church officials has been largely supportive of Sister Jane.

Fr. Tim Reid, pastor of St. Ann Catholic Church, sent out a mass email which said in part, “She represented well the Catholic positions on marriage, sex, same-sex attraction and proper gender roles. … The Church has already lost too many generations of Catholic schools students to … a very muddled and watered-down faith.”

Fr. Roger Arnsparger, diocesan vicar for education, stated, "Our students are bombarded with confusing messages about sexuality. Our task in religious formation is always to help people understand the meaning of love and relationships."

Although Sister Jane has the backing of the local bishop and clergy, she has withdrawn from another planned speaking event in Charlotte which had been scheduled for May during the 2014 Diocesan Youth Conference. Fr. Arnsparger announced the change in a statement today, and said Sr. Jane’s mother superior, not the diocese, had made the call.

"I completely understand the decision of Sister’s Mother Superior that the timing is not right for her to make a return visit to the diocese,” Arnsparger wrote. “It was very thoughtful of Sister Jane to withdraw from this planned speaking engagement as the Diocese of Charlotte deals with the concern of parents of Charlotte Catholic High School students. Sister Jane Dominic has been a frequent speaker throughout the country and we look forward to learning from her in the future."

The April 2 meeting will take place in the school’s gym. Representatives from both the school and the diocese will be on hand for the discussion.

Contact:

Charlotte Catholic High School Phone: 704-543-1127

Diocese of Charlotte Phone: (704) 370-6299 E-mail: chancery@charlottediocese.org


TOPICS: US: North Carolina
KEYWORDS: alreadyposted; catholic; homosexualagenda; moralabsolutes; nc; northcarolina; romancatholicism; sisterjane
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1 posted on 04/02/2014 6:57:22 PM PDT by Morgana
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To: Morgana
"She represented well the Catholic positions on marriage, sex, same-sex attraction and proper gender roles. "

The Bible makes Clear statements on these matters.

If the parents dont like it they are free to fume and fret.




2 posted on 04/02/2014 7:00:42 PM PDT by MeshugeMikey ( "Never, never, never give up". Winston Churchill)
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To: Morgana

I’ve met Sister Jane. She is an awesome clear voice.

Great opportunity for the kids that are actually Catholic at this school to stand their ground.


3 posted on 04/02/2014 7:01:44 PM PDT by rwilson99 (Please tell me how the words "shall not perish and have everlasting life" would NOT apply to Mary.)
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To: MeshugeMikey

Blah blah blah. Move to a public school if you don’t like scripture.


4 posted on 04/02/2014 7:02:22 PM PDT by jimpick
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To: Morgana

And the alternative message is......


5 posted on 04/02/2014 7:03:09 PM PDT by Fungi
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To: Morgana

How can anyone be a member of the Church and be offended by the truth?Just pathetic.


6 posted on 04/02/2014 7:04:14 PM PDT by Farmer Dean (stop worrying about what they want to do to you,start thinking about what you want to do to them)
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To: Morgana

I’m gonna bet this scene is fake and there were no “mass” protesters...


7 posted on 04/02/2014 7:04:28 PM PDT by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway-Enjoy Yourself ala Louis Prima)
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To: MeshugeMikey

> outraged about remarks a visiting nun made criticizing
> homosexuality, divorce, and sex outside of marriage
> during a recent speech.

The outrage is that these parents don’t agree with her.

They should be promptly excommunicated, if they are church attendees, and their children expelled from the school.

Then they can send their kids to the government school collective where they will be taught that all that (mis)behavior is just ducky.

In fact, it’s taught not only as acceptable behavior, but celebrated as superior to any form of Biblical morality.


8 posted on 04/02/2014 7:06:52 PM PDT by Westbrook (Children do not divide your love, they multiply it.)
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To: Morgana
Parents, alumni and students involved in the petition and letter writing campaigns are demanding that the school and Church apologize.

You just know that there are professional activists at work here.

9 posted on 04/02/2014 7:09:10 PM PDT by Mike Darancette (Do The Math)
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To: Morgana
“In my home, there was outrage, embarrassment, sadness, disbelief, and further reason for my 16-year-old to move as far away from her religion as possible and as soon as she can,” wrote divorcee Shelley Earnhardt, according to the Charlotte Observer.

If neither the mother nor the daughter support the basic tenets of the Catholic faith, then why are they calling it 'their religion'?

Besides, they can always join the Episcopalians....

10 posted on 04/02/2014 7:10:31 PM PDT by zipper ("The Second Amendment IS my carry permit!" -- Ted Nugent)
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Comment #11 Removed by Moderator

To: jimpick

WELL SAID !!!!

Why don’t they pull their kids out of there???


12 posted on 04/02/2014 7:12:55 PM PDT by Recovering Ex-hippie
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To: MeshugeMikey
If the parents dont like it they are free to fume and fret.

And they are free to take their children to a different school.
13 posted on 04/02/2014 7:13:02 PM PDT by rottndog ('Live Free Or Die' Ain't just words on a bumber sticker...or a tagline.)
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To: zipper

Wow!

If all it takes for this kiddo to move away from her faith/religion is a one hour talk by a nun, wait till she gets to college. HA!

Hope that this kiddo’s mama enjoys taking care of the grandbaby the girl will have without a father in marriage...


14 posted on 04/02/2014 7:16:20 PM PDT by Recovering Ex-hippie
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To: Morgana

The students at that school, for the most part, are not there for the religious aspect. They are there because the PARENTS don’t want their precious darlings mingling with the “gangstas” and “free & reduced lunch” kids found in public schools.


15 posted on 04/02/2014 7:17:42 PM PDT by moovova
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To: rottndog

What is it with these people who go to Catholic institutions of learning and want to change the faith and have the schools follow THEIR idea of what the religion should be...gO IN PEACE, MY CHILD..BUT JUST GO.


16 posted on 04/02/2014 7:18:11 PM PDT by Recovering Ex-hippie
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To: rottndog

INDEED they are Indeed they are!!

we cant have children leaning about MORALITY now can we?


17 posted on 04/02/2014 7:19:06 PM PDT by MeshugeMikey ( "Never, never, never give up". Winston Churchill)
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To: Westbrook

The topsy turvy world of evil nonsense will wlecome them with open arms.


18 posted on 04/02/2014 7:20:22 PM PDT by MeshugeMikey ( "Never, never, never give up". Winston Churchill)
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To: Morgana

I am not sure why these people are so outraged. They pay a lot of money to send their kids to a school where they have a pretty good idea of what will be taught.

They are not being taught that homosexuals should be hated. They are merely being taught about some possible causes and how the deterioration of the traditional family contributes.

As a homosexual myself the good sister is correct. A vast majority of homosexuals are not “born” that way. They are products of their environment. People should be more open minded and not be so quick to shut people up because they don’t like what they hear. It only proves how intolerant they really are, that includes homosexuals who are intolerant to deeply held beliefs by millions of people for thousands of years.

I commend the sister and the church for not softening their position on social issues. Certain values stand the test of time.


19 posted on 04/02/2014 7:22:12 PM PDT by TheArizona
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To: Morgana

I am not sure why these people are so outraged. They pay a lot of money to send their kids to a school where they have a pretty good idea of what will be taught.

They are not being taught that homosexuals should be hated. They are merely being taught about some possible causes and how the deterioration of the traditional family contributes.

As a homosexual myself the good sister is correct. A vast majority of homosexuals are not “born” that way. They are products of their environment. People should be more open minded and not be so quick to shut people up because they don’t like what they hear. It only proves how intolerant they really are, that includes homosexuals who are intolerant to deeply held beliefs by millions of people for thousands of years.

I commend the sister and the church for not softening their position on social issues. Certain values stand the test of time.


20 posted on 04/02/2014 7:23:19 PM PDT by TheArizona
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