Culture
Bishop withdraws Catholic support from Mass. school over Pride, BLM flags
Bishop Robert J. McManus of the Dioceses of Worscester issued an official decree on Thursday removing support for the Nativity School of Worcester after they refused to take down the two flags, which it was flying under the American flag
June 21, 2022 1:55pm
Updated: June 21, 2022 6:00pm
A Massachusetts middle school is no longer allowed to identify as “Catholic” for flying the Black Lives Matter and LGBT pride flags, according to the local diocese.
Bishop Robert J. McManus of the Dioceses of Worscester issued an official decree on Thursday removing support for the Nativity School of Worcester after they refused to take down the two flags, which it was flying under the American flag.
“I publicly stated in an open letter dated, May 4, 2022, that ‘these symbols (flags) embody specific agendas or ideologies (that) contradict Catholic social and moral teaching,’ McManus wrote, stating the decree came after discussions to find alternatives.
“It is my contention that the “Gay Pride” flag represents support of gay marriage and actively living a LGBTQ+ lifestyle.”
"This is also true of 'Black Lives Matter,'” he continued.
“The Catholic Church teaches that all life is sacred and the Church certainly stands unequivocally behind the phrase 'black lives matter' and strongly affirms that all lives matter.”
The decree states that the school can no longer identify as a “Catholic” school, may no longer use the title “Catholic” to describe itself, and mass, sacraments and sacramentals are no longer permitted to be celebrated on campus, among other stipulations, effective immediately.
The school is also barred from sponsoring those religious activities in any of the diocese's chapels and church buildings.
The Nativity School began flying the flags in Jan. 2021 at the request of students, the majority of whom are people of color, who called on the school to be more inclusive, its president Thomas McKenny told NBC News.
In a statement, McKenney argued that “the value of inclusion is rooted in Catholic teaching.”
"Though any symbol or flag can be co-opted by political groups or organizations, flying our flags is not an endorsement of any organization or ideology, they fly in support of marginalized people,” he wrote.
The school will continue displaying the flags “to give visible witness to the school’s solidarity with our students” and plans to appeal the decision to the Diocese, according to the statement.
