Bishop Brown answers my letter and sends one the same day to SJB pastor, 2-10-05

[jim_orr]

Bishop Brown answered my letter and sent one the same day, Feb 10, to the pastor of St. John the Baptist Church “to express my appreciation and support for the way you and your staff have conduced yourselves amid the controversy brought about by the revelation that the child of a same-sex couple had been admitted to your parish school.”

Have any of the parents and or parishioners at SJB heard of, or seen, Bishop Brown’s letter to pastor Benzoni and know how the families there have received it?

 

[jim_orr]

The bishop’s reply to my letter of 1-27-05 was written by Vicar General, Fr. Heher in which he said the following:

"Clearly, you have a different take on the situation at Saint John the Baptist School in Costa Mesa than the Bishop of Orange. I am forwarding to you a copy of the letter Bishop Brown sent to Fr. Benzoni, the pastor, which outlines his belief in how Fr. Benzoni and the parish staff were faithful to the current teachings of the Church.

"To be more specific in regard to your concerns:
Are we to punish a child for the orientation of the parents? Do you also believe that the children of hetersexual couples whose marriages are canonically irregular should also be expelled from school? What if a parent is an alcoholic or is in prison for robbery? As long as the parents are willing to abide by the rules of the school, they can apply to send their children to our Catholic schools (see SJB diversity policy enclosed.) At the center of this is a child whom we can educate in our faith.
In the whole course of this controversy, there never was a moment of doubt about the Church’s teaching on sexuality and the sanctity of marriage. The pastor did an excellent job of educating his parishioners. As the Bishop’s letter makes clear, he acted in accord with the most recent Church documents on these matters.

“I am proud to be a Catholic and I know that Bishop Brown is as well. History will judge if Bishop Brown is ‘a spiritual leader who is uplifting.’ I believe he has set the proper course and Fr. Benzoni is following his lead.”

"In the Lord,

“Fr. Mike Heher
Vicar General”

I will be drafting a reply tomorrow. Is the contents in the Vicar General’s letter similar to what you parents at SJB have been getting from the diocese?

P.S. I just noticed a typo in my lead post. In the third line, it should be “conducted” not “conduced.”

 

[StJeanneDArc]

This is truly a shame. It seems that the Bishop has not at all addressed the concerns raised by the parents. Do any St. John the Baptist parents have any more information on this story?

 

[katherine2]

This is further evidence of what most of us have known for quite some time. The Church has made its decision on this matter and is not conisidering any reversal of policy. if people find it personally entertaining to continue their objections to the Church, they sure, go ahead and entertain yourself.

I guess its also making money for the post office.

 

[sleepless]

katherine2:

This is further evidence of what most of us have known for quite some time. The Church has made its decision on this matter and is not conisidering any reversal of policy. if people find it personally entertaining to continue their objections to the Church, they sure, go ahead and entertain yourself.

I guess its also making money for the post office.

I guess the continuing commital of public sin is not against church teaching? Wow, I must have misunderstood my catechism somewhere along the line. Someone please help me understand the saying “go and sin no more.”

 

[God_saves]

katherine2:

This is further evidence of what most of us have known for quite some time. The Church has made its decision on this matter and is not conisidering any reversal of policy. if people find it personally entertaining to continue their objections to the Church, they sure, go ahead and entertain yourself.

I guess its also making money for the post office.

Katherine,

No, the Church has not made its decision on this matter, some hireling shepards have. “I am the good shepard. A good shepard lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepard and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.” Jn 10: 11-13

 

[miguel]

"To be more specific in regard to your concerns:
Are we to punish a child for the orientation of the parents? Do you also believe that the children of hetersexual couples whose marriages are canonically irregular should also be expelled from school? What if a parent is an alcoholic or is in prison for robbery? As long as the parents are willing to abide by the rules of the school, they can apply to send their children to our Catholic schools (see SJB diversity policy enclosed.) At the center of this is a child whom we can educate in our faith.

This much I have no problem with.

"In the whole course of this controversy, there never was a moment of doubt about the Church’s teaching on sexuality and the sanctity of marriage. The pastor did an excellent job of educating his parishioners. As the Bishop’s letter makes clear, he acted in accord with the most recent Church documents on these matters.

Based on some of the things I’ve read on this forum, I’m not so sure I agree here. If it is true that the two “dads” are allowed to maintain a high profile at the school, thereby flaunting their homosexuality, then I understand the concern of parents. If it is also true that one of these dads is volunteering in the classroom, and has been alone and unsupervised with the kids, I understand the concern of parents here as well. These last two points are where you need to do battle, especially the last one. My prayers are with you.

 

[miguel]

“To be more specific in regard to your concerns:
Are we to punish a child for the orientation of the parents? Do you also believe that the children of hetersexual couples whose marriages are canonically irregular should also be expelled from school? What if a parent is an alcoholic or is in prison for robbery? As long as the parents are willing to abide by the rules of the school, they can apply to send their children to our Catholic schools (see SJB diversity policy enclosed.) At the center of this is a child whom we can educate in our faith.”

Another thought…I would recommend that you withdraw your request to have the child removed from the school (if that is in fact what you originally requested because I’m not totally up on this controversy) and humbly acknowledge Bishop Brown’s decision on this point and the reasons he gave for the decision. Personally, I think it was a mistake to make that the issue. This would at least show good faith on your part and possibly open the door to his compromising on some of the other concerns you may have.

 

[katherine2]

God saves:

Katherine,

No, the Church has not made its decision on this matter, some hireling shepards have. “I am the good shepard. A good shepard lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepard and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.” Jn 10: 11-13

I don’t know what church you belong to, but my Church was founded by He who said “Let the little children come unto me”

I’ve checked the Scripture and there is no asterik to indicate that this was only children with heterosexual parents.

The twins are staying. We can only pray for conversion of heart for those hateful people who seek to expell these darling children.

 

[katherine2]

I don’t know what church you belong to, but my Church was founded by He who said “Let the little children come unto me”

I’ve checked the Scripture and there is no asterik to indicate that this was only children with heterosexual parents.

The twins are staying. We can only pray for conversion of heart for those hateful people who seek to expell these darling children.

 

[StJeanneDArc]

katherine2:

I don’t know what church you belong to, but my Church was founded by He who said “Let the little children come unto me”

I’ve checked the Scripture and there is no asterik to indicate that this was only children with heterosexual parents.

The twins are staying. We can only pray for conversion of heart for those hateful people who seek to expell these darling children.

Oh, please, this is so tedious. Who’s seeking to expell the “darling children”? All the information I’ve seen is that the parents want to get the “darling daddies” off the campus and out of the lives of their children. You never answered the question as to why you think it’s acceptable for these two men to corrupt not only their acquired children, but also the other 500 who attend that school.

 

[katherine2]

StJeanneDArc:

. You never answered the question as to why you think it’s acceptable for these two men to corrupt not only their acquired children, but also the other 500 who attend that school.

I don’t beleive the mere continued earthly existance of two gay men is a “corruption” of all around them. But based on the amount of anti-gay violence, I understand that their are some people who do think so.

 

[StJeanneDArc]

katherine2:

I don’t beleive the mere continued earthly existance of two gay men is a “corruption” of all around them. But based on the amount of anti-gay violence, I understand that their are some people who do think so.

Ah, I see now! You must not have read all the information about what these two men were doing. That’s the only way you could possibly believe that it’s their mere existence that’s causing a problem. I’ll fill you and other readers in:

1. Listed as '“father and father” in the school directory (my school aged children look up the numbers for their classmates all the time in the school directory)
2. Usually both bring the children (in this case twins) to school every day, wearing wedding rings
3. One of the men is a volunteer teaching assistant for the kindergarten and is regularly left alone with the children
4. One of the men maintains the school website (which I readily concede would not be a corrupting influence as long as the content of the website was fine)
5. The two men regularly attend school functions as a “couple”
6. The two men regularly attend the teen Mass as a “couple”

 

[katherine2]

StJeanneDArc:

Ah, I see now! You must not have read all the information about what these two men were doing.

I’ve read all of that information. it simply proves that there are some hateful people in Orange County. Fortunately, the Church has refused to allow their hate to stop its love these darling children. I praise Jesus for the love for these children shown by the pastor, school principal, the vast majority of parishioners and school parents and partiuclarly the Nobertine Priory, which even though known for its conservativism, has stood with the pastor and decency.

 

[HumbleSinner]

miguel:

Another thought…I would recommend that you withdraw your request to have the child removed from the school (if that is in fact what you originally requested because I’m not totally up on this controversy) and humbly acknowledge Bishop Brown’s decision on this point and the reasons he gave for the decision. Personally, I think it was a mistake to make that the issue. This would at least show good faith on your part and possibly open the door to his compromising on some of the other concerns you may have.

From reading the previous thread “Group still opposes enrolling kids of gay or unmarried parents in Catholic schools” it seems that Bishop Tod Brown is aware of the men maintaining a high profile** at St. John the Baptist Catholic school. I’m pretty sure I read on one of the posts that he received a copy of the letter that the parents sent to the principal. **

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**You can read the letter that was sent to the principal of St. John the Baptist School at **

[www.thelaity.org](http://www.thelaity.org/)** (click on recent e-mail notices). This may help you grasp the full picture of what we have been dealing with.**

 

[HumbleSinner]

From reading the previous thread “Group still opposes enrolling kids of gay or unmarried parents in Catholic schools” it seems that Bishop Tod Brown is aware of the men maintaining a high profile** at St. John the Baptist Catholic school. I’m pretty sure I read on one of the posts that he received a copy of the letter that the parents sent to the principal. **

**GloriaPatri4:
*You can read the letter that was sent to the principal of St. John the Baptist School at [[www.thelaity.org](http://www.thelaity.org/)](http://www.thelaity.org/)** (click on recent e-mail notices). This may help you grasp the full picture of what we have been dealing with.** *
UPDATE just discovered
Bishop Shows His Approval of Domestic Partnerships

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The bishop’s memo is posted on the above website

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[katherine2]

the voice of hate:

I

, along with several other parents and/or parishioners at St. John the Baptist School, feel compelled to address in writing our concerns and distress over your decision this year to admit children into our Catholic grammar school whose adoptive caregivers are purportedly cohabitating in a domestic partnership, and who hold themselves out as active homosexuals. We are particularly concerned that your decision is contrary to the teachings of the Church, and is counterproductive to the spiritual well-being and growth of the children involved, as well as their two caregivers

 

[StJeanneDArc]

katherine2:

I’ve read all of that information. it simply proves that there are some hateful people in Orange County. Fortunately, the Church has refused to allow their hate to stop its love these darling children. I praise Jesus for the love for these children shown by the pastor, school principal, the vast majority of parishioners and school parents and partiuclarly the Nobertine Priory, which even though known for its conservativism, has stood with the pastor and decency.

Well, I’ve noted it in other related threads: you obviously think that the active homosexual lifestyle is perfectly acceptable. I just wish you would include that in your postings–you know, truth in advertising and all that.

This is me shaking the dust from my feet and moving on.

 

[miguel]

From reading the previous thread “Group still opposes enrolling kids of gay or unmarried parents in Catholic schools” it seems that Bishop Tod Brown is aware of the men maintaining a high profile** at St. John the Baptist Catholic school. I’m pretty sure I read on one of the posts that he received a copy of the letter that the parents sent to the principal. **

Thanks for the link. I don’t want you to think I’m not with you. I can understand all the problems that come along with admitting children from these types of arrangements into the school. And I can understand that to avoid all these problems, it would probably be best not to allow it. But in hindsight, it turned out to be bad strategy. It allowed them to paint the concerned parents as the bad guys for picking on kids, when the dads are the real problem. And now they can choose to ignore that because they’ve already made their decision and went public with it. What a mess.

 

[Lisa4Catholics]

StJeanneDArc:

Well, I’ve noted it in other related threads: you obviously think that the active homosexual lifestyle is perfectly acceptable. I just wish you would include that in your postings–you know, truth in advertising and all that.

This is me shaking the dust from my feet and moving on.

No she will call other people hateful for trying to protect their children from an acceptance of homosexual behavior that could lead them into experimenting ,unrepentant and put their souls in jepardy.Real loving huh?