Nearly 1,000 attend Charlotte Catholic meeting on nun’s speech

[rug]

Charlotte Catholic senior Brett Heinz 17, left, hands a "We are all God's Children" wrist band to Charlotte Catholic parent Steve Shephard, right, before the start of the meeting. Parents of students at Charlotte Catholic High School were to meet with the school's administrators and chaplains about a recent speech that caused an uproar with some students and parents. ( Robert Lahser - [e-mail])

By Tim Funk
Posted: Wednesday, Apr. 02, 2014

Nearly 1,000 parents gathered at Charlotte Catholic High School on Wednesday night to air complaints about a recent speech to students by a nun who made what many considered inflammatory comments about gays and lesbians, divorce and single parenthood.

So many parents lined up to speak that the meeting with high school officials, the school’s chaplain and the Diocese of Charlotte’s vicar of education lasted more than an hour longer than scheduled.

Though the gathering was closed to the media, texts and tweets from parents inside the school gym cast the meeting as often heated, with emotions running high on both sides.

Diocese spokesman David Hains acknowledged after the meeting that the Rev. Matthew Kauth, the school’s chaplain, apologized to the parents for a March 21 speech by Sister Jane Dominic Laurel that was not the one he expected her to give.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/04/02/4813240/more-than-1000-attend-charlotte.html#.Uz1XSP1OU5s

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/04/01/4810338/controversial-nun-cancels-may.html#.Uz1YOf1OU5s

[No Vested Interest]

1. I'm glad an apology was issued.

Undoubtedly many parents will give serious consideration as to whether this is the type of education they want their children to have.
The welfare and future enrollment of Charlotte Catholic High School may be affected for years to come.

[goldent]

3. I agree with you about the apology.

But unless there is more to story than has been told, I can't see this having any lasting effect on the school. The school administration learned they need to better understand understand the content of speeches by invited guests, especially on controversial topics.

[No Vested Interest]

4. No, it's more than issuing an apology.

If kids (and parents, but especially kids) decide that the school is an uncool place, such a reputation can severely affect enrollment.
Hopefully, the school has other awesome things going on - highest academics, or excellent sports, etc.- to overcome the ill will this speech may have left.
Teenagers are all about fairness, and if they perceive their gay cousins, friends, acquaintances being singled out, they will avoid the place like the plague.
I hope it doesn't happen; hope Sr. Laurel hasn't poisoned the well, but bad press doesn't help any place that needs support from its constituency.

[goldent]

5. I don't think she was a member of the faculty

I think she was an outside speaker (as far as I can tell). I think this reflects more on negligence by the administration in vetting her (or her speech) rather than the school itself. I think the administration needs to explain new policy/procedures to prevent a re-occurrence and the case is closed.

[No Vested Interest]

6. You're correct, she was an invited guest. However,

she presented at the school and reflected poorly on the school.
Time will tell.

[okasha]

2. Laity to hierarchy:

Lead, follow or get out of the way. I think Francis is empowering lay Catholics in ways no one expected. It seems to me that the Church is coming up on a point of no return at high speed; may, indeed, already have passed it.