I URGE Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley to issue a clear statement explaining and supporting the recent decision of Father James Rafferty at St. Paul’s School in Hingham. The media have distorted this situation into a one-sided circus of sound bites. It’s a bishop’s responsibility to teach. Both Catholics and non-Catholics need to understand why Rafferty’s decision was a caring pastoral one. He pointed out that the child’s guardians are in a lesbian relationship, which is in discord with church teachings. To place the child in a Catholic school would put the child, the teachers, and the other students in a no-win situation.
When a similar situation arose in Denver recently, Archbishop Charles Chaput explained: “Most parents who send their children to Catholic schools want an environment where the Catholic faith is fully taught and practiced. That simply can’t be done if teachers need to worry about wounding the feelings of their students or about alienating students from their parents. That isn’t fair to anyone — including the wider school community.’’
Why would a same-sex couple, who differ with the church on their understanding of marriage and family life, want their child in a Catholic school? They must realize that the church will not, indeed cannot, change its stand on this issue.
Rafferty made a decision that took courage and spared the child. O’Malley should back up this faithful pastor and publicly explain church teachings if our freedom of speech and religion are not to be crippled further.
Gail Besse
Hull 
