A lesbian couple, who have attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boulder for years, has been denied the right to re-enroll their child in the church's preschool. That ruling was made by Fr. Bill Breslin last week. He told staff at the school, "It was the hardest decision I have ever made in my life."
Breslin's decision was made in accord with church policy and has upset both church members and members of Boulder's gay and lesbian community.
"We just came out to lend support to the couple and others who might want to put their child through Catholic school," said David Ensing, Chair of Boulder Pride.
"I had to lean toward my vows to the Bishop and Church in making this decision," said Breslin.
Only in Boulder would church goers walk over to the picket lines and offer coffee and donuts to those questioning the Priest's decision to ban the child from school because of the lifestyle of his guardians.
While churches are tax exempt, which means they don't have to pay property taxes, they could lose that status if they are found to promote or engage in things contrary to government policy. In this case, what could it mean for banning people over sexual orientation? That could be a question for the courts, if the couple decides challenge the decision by Fr. Breslin.
Property taxes do fund public schools, and in some cases some private schools get government funding, but even if they don't, they do enjoy tax exemptions. What some want the church to remember is that tax exemption is a privilege, not a right.
One youngster summed up things nicely for protesters when she, while holding a sign that read 'What would Jesus say?' said, "He would say let the kid go to school, even if he has two mommies or two daddies!"
No word on whether the couple will challenge the ruling by the parish priest.
You can read Father Breslin's statement in the form of a sermon HERE
.
Breslin's decision was made in accord with church policy and has upset both church members and members of Boulder's gay and lesbian community.
"We just came out to lend support to the couple and others who might want to put their child through Catholic school," said David Ensing, Chair of Boulder Pride.
"I had to lean toward my vows to the Bishop and Church in making this decision," said Breslin.
Only in Boulder would church goers walk over to the picket lines and offer coffee and donuts to those questioning the Priest's decision to ban the child from school because of the lifestyle of his guardians.
While churches are tax exempt, which means they don't have to pay property taxes, they could lose that status if they are found to promote or engage in things contrary to government policy. In this case, what could it mean for banning people over sexual orientation? That could be a question for the courts, if the couple decides challenge the decision by Fr. Breslin.
Property taxes do fund public schools, and in some cases some private schools get government funding, but even if they don't, they do enjoy tax exemptions. What some want the church to remember is that tax exemption is a privilege, not a right.
One youngster summed up things nicely for protesters when she, while holding a sign that read 'What would Jesus say?' said, "He would say let the kid go to school, even if he has two mommies or two daddies!"
No word on whether the couple will challenge the ruling by the parish priest.
You can read Father Breslin's statement in the form of a sermon HERE
.
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