St. Ann Catholic Church and School in Prairie Village, Kansas has banned a child of a same-sex couple from attending their Catholic grade school.

Superintendent Kathy O’Hara, in a statement to the Kansas City Star said that the “church’s teaching on marriage is clear and is not altered by the laws of civil society. Catholic doctrine recognizes marriage “as a sacrament entered into between a man and woman.”

A petition signed by more than 1,000 Catholics asking church officials to reconsider the decision reads, in part, “Respectfully, we believe that the decision to deny a child of God access to such a wonderful community and education, based on the notion that his or her parent’s union is not in accordance with the Church’s teaching in Sacramental marriage, lacks the compassion and mercy of Christ’s message.”

I add my name to those challenging the decision. I laud the civility of the petitioners. My response to those refusing to welcome this child would be far more critical.

Rev. Gregory M Corrigan.

Diocese of Wilmington, DE