(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) The Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts, denounced a Catholic private school for flying both Black Lives Matter and gay pride flags.
The Nativity School in Worcester is no longer allowed to identify itself as “Catholic,” in any sense, and is banned from celebrating Mass and sacraments , according to the Daily Wire.
Bishop Robert J. McManus criticized the school in April, writing that “the flag with the emblem Black Lives Matter has at times been co-opted by some factions which also instill a broad-brush distrust of police and those entrusted with enforcing our laws. We do not teach that in our schools.”
“And, while we teach that everyone is created in the image and likeness of God, gay pride flags are often used to stand in contrast to consistent Catholic teaching that sacramental marriage is between a man and a woman,” he added.
McManus recently published a decree publicly denouncing the school.
“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.’ It is my contention that the ‘Gay Pride’ flag represents support of gay marriage and actively living a LGBTQ+ lifestyle.”
The bishop continued, clarifying that while “black lives matter” is a statement that the Catholic church believes is true, he emphasized that all lives matter.
“However, the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement has co-opted the phrase and promotes a platform that directly contradicts Catholic social teaching on the importance and role of the nuclear family and seeks to disrupt the family structure in clear opposition to the teachings of the Catholic Church.”
The bishop concluded his statements by citing Catholic canon law and highlighted that flying these flags “sends a mixed, confusing and scandalous message.”
Bishiop McManus stated that he has requested the flags be taken down in the past, and is taking canonical action to prohibit the school from identifying itself as “Catholic,” and that “Mass, sacraments and sacramentals are no longer permitted to be celebrated” at the school.
The school is appealing the bishop’s decision and is refusing to move the flags.
