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aneed2know 2012/05/08 09:39:33
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Bishop won't let group publicly honor gay student

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Overruling school officials, a Catholic bishop in Iowa said Monday he would not let a group that promotes equal rights for gays and lesbians present a college scholarship to an openly gay student during an upcoming award ceremony.

Bishop Martin Amos in Davenport said the Eychaner Foundation would not be allowed to present theMatthew Shepard Scholarship to Keaton Fuller during the May 20 ceremony at Prince of Peace Catholic School in Clinton, saying the group's support for gay rights conflicts with church doctrine.

The announcement comes after a school official signed a document last month that promised to let a representative of the foundation's scholarship committee present the award to Fuller.

In an open letter released Monday, Fuller said he's never felt so "invalidated and unaccepted" as he did when he heard that news last week. He said he and his family were asking the school to reverse its decision, and he launched an online petition Monday that was signed by hundreds of supporters within its first hours.

"This whole ordeal has been incredibly hurtful, and I am even sadder that this will be one of my last experiences to remember my high school years by," Fuller wrote.

The bishop's decision also stunned school officials, who had encouraged Fuller to apply for the award and wrote letters on his behalf.

Founded by Iowa businessman and gay rights activist Rich Eychaner, the Des Moines-based foundation has awarded more than 130 Matthew Shepard scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender since 2000. It is named for the gay Wyoming college student killed in 1998.

Citing his scholastic achievement and work fighting homophobia, the foundation chose Fuller this spring as one of three students for the gold scholarship, which is worth up to $40,000 over four years to attend one of Iowa's three public universities. Fuller, 18, plans to go to the University of Iowa.

Fuller is believed to be the first gay student at a Catholic high school to attend multiple school dances with a partner of the same sex, said foundation executive director Michael Bowser.

"We were very proud of him for that," he said.

Bowser said the group's award presentations are part of the scholarship process because they send a message of acceptance. He said three other Catholic schools had rejected presentations for scholarship recipients in prior years, but the group thought Prince of Peace would be the first to allow it, given the staff's support for Fuller.

Despite the school's promise, Amos told Fuller's parents last week that church policies on guest speakers would prohibit it, the Diocese of Davenport said in a statement. The policy says, "We cannot allow any one or any organization which promotes a position that is contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church to present at a diocesan institution."

The diocese's statement congratulated Fuller for winning "the generous award," and said it would be announced by a school employee during the assembly.

School Board President Edward O'Neill said he was disappointed by the bishop's decision. He said Fuller was a talented student who was accepted by his peers after coming out years ago. He said Fuller had taken his boyfriend to prom over the weekend and other school dances without controversy.

O'Neill said board members were briefed on the scholarship last month, and they were aware a foundation representative planned to present the scholarship. No one raised an objection until the bishop got involved, he said.

"We preach tolerance and acceptance but then we turn around and we don't practice what we preach," he said. "If the bishop says we're not going to do it, I can voice my objection to it, but there's not a whole lot I can do."

Eychaner issued a statement saying he was shocked that the bishop believes the foundation's work clashes with church teachings, noting it promotes tolerance and fights bullying. And he said he was confused how the bishop found the award itself acceptable to be announced but not by its sponsor.

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  • no no 2012/05/08 14:01:42
    comment
    no no
    +11
    And the beat goes on.......TOP 10 SIGNS YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN

    10 - You vigorously deny the existence of thousands of gods claimed by other religions, but feel outraged when someone denies the existence of your god.

    9 - You feel insulted and "dehumanized" when scientists say that people evolved from lesser life forms, but you have no problem with the Biblical claim that we were created from dirt.

    8 - You laugh at polytheists, but you have no problem believing in a Trinity god.

    7 - Your face turns purple when you hear of the "atrocities" attributed to Allah, but you don't even flinch when hearing about how God/Jehovah slaughtered all the babies of Egypt in "Exodus" and ordered the elimination of entire ethnic groups in "Joshua" -- including women, children, and trees!

    6 - You laugh at Hindu beliefs that deify humans, and Greek claims about gods sleeping with women, but you have no problem believing that the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary, who then gave birth to a man-god who got killed, came back to life and then ascended into the sky.

    5 - You are willing to spend your life looking for little loop-holes in the scientifically established age of the Earth (4.55 billion years), but you find nothing wrong with believing dates recorded by pre-historic tribesmen sitting in their ten...









    And the beat goes on.......TOP 10 SIGNS YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN

    10 - You vigorously deny the existence of thousands of gods claimed by other religions, but feel outraged when someone denies the existence of your god.

    9 - You feel insulted and "dehumanized" when scientists say that people evolved from lesser life forms, but you have no problem with the Biblical claim that we were created from dirt.

    8 - You laugh at polytheists, but you have no problem believing in a Trinity god.

    7 - Your face turns purple when you hear of the "atrocities" attributed to Allah, but you don't even flinch when hearing about how God/Jehovah slaughtered all the babies of Egypt in "Exodus" and ordered the elimination of entire ethnic groups in "Joshua" -- including women, children, and trees!

    6 - You laugh at Hindu beliefs that deify humans, and Greek claims about gods sleeping with women, but you have no problem believing that the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary, who then gave birth to a man-god who got killed, came back to life and then ascended into the sky.

    5 - You are willing to spend your life looking for little loop-holes in the scientifically established age of the Earth (4.55 billion years), but you find nothing wrong with believing dates recorded by pre-historic tribesmen sitting in their tents and guessing that the Earth is a couple of generations old.

    4 - You believe that the entire population of this planet with the exception of those who share your beliefs -- though excluding those in all rival sects -- will spend Eternity in an infinite Hell of Suffering. And yet you consider your religion the most "tolerant" and "loving".

    3 - While modern science, history, geology, biology, and physics have failed to convince you otherwise, some idiot rolling around on the floor speaking in "tongues" may be all the evidence you need to prove Christianity.

    2 - You define 0.01% as a "high success rate" when it comes to answered prayers. You consider that to be evidence that prayer works. And you think that the remaining 99.99% FAILURE was simply the will of God.

    1 - You actually know a lot less than many Atheists and Agnostics do about the Bible, Christianity, and church history -- but still call yourself a Christian.

    Posted from Pistol Princess "In tornado-ravaged Bible Belt, Churches Mobilize to Help"
    (more)

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Opinions

  • scblues... T. James H 2012/05/08 21:50:01 (edited)
    scbluesman13
    +1
    Well sure, especially when you have young gay and lesbian kids being raised in environments which are psychologically repressive against homosexuality. That's the whole reason the concept of "coming out of the closet" was coined.
    Usually if you're promoting a lifestyle or sexual preference that's different from what you truly are inside, you're probably doing it because of fear, self-loathing, or shame. And in all of those cases, every one of those emotional justifications was taught to you.
  • T. James H scblues... 2012/05/09 00:25:34
  • Picasso... scblues... 2012/05/09 04:15:51
    Picasso's Cat
    +1
    But Gay people do live a gay lifestyle, now don't they???
    I realize, and believe Gay people are born that way, not a problem with me. The religious organizations are the ones you have to deal with if you have to involve them in your life, which if I were gay, I would not pay any attention to most religions, them you can shed !
  • darlenedoskas1969 2012/05/08 14:26:36
    comment
    darlenedoskas1969
    +1
    I never have understood how a message of love and brotherhood could be so twisted and corrupted into such hate... I hope I never do truly understand
  • no no 2012/05/08 14:01:42
    comment
    no no
    +11
    And the beat goes on.......TOP 10 SIGNS YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN

    10 - You vigorously deny the existence of thousands of gods claimed by other religions, but feel outraged when someone denies the existence of your god.

    9 - You feel insulted and "dehumanized" when scientists say that people evolved from lesser life forms, but you have no problem with the Biblical claim that we were created from dirt.

    8 - You laugh at polytheists, but you have no problem believing in a Trinity god.

    7 - Your face turns purple when you hear of the "atrocities" attributed to Allah, but you don't even flinch when hearing about how God/Jehovah slaughtered all the babies of Egypt in "Exodus" and ordered the elimination of entire ethnic groups in "Joshua" -- including women, children, and trees!

    6 - You laugh at Hindu beliefs that deify humans, and Greek claims about gods sleeping with women, but you have no problem believing that the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary, who then gave birth to a man-god who got killed, came back to life and then ascended into the sky.

    5 - You are willing to spend your life looking for little loop-holes in the scientifically established age of the Earth (4.55 billion years), but you find nothing wrong with believing dates recorded by pre-historic tribesmen sitting in their ten...









    And the beat goes on.......TOP 10 SIGNS YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN

    10 - You vigorously deny the existence of thousands of gods claimed by other religions, but feel outraged when someone denies the existence of your god.

    9 - You feel insulted and "dehumanized" when scientists say that people evolved from lesser life forms, but you have no problem with the Biblical claim that we were created from dirt.

    8 - You laugh at polytheists, but you have no problem believing in a Trinity god.

    7 - Your face turns purple when you hear of the "atrocities" attributed to Allah, but you don't even flinch when hearing about how God/Jehovah slaughtered all the babies of Egypt in "Exodus" and ordered the elimination of entire ethnic groups in "Joshua" -- including women, children, and trees!

    6 - You laugh at Hindu beliefs that deify humans, and Greek claims about gods sleeping with women, but you have no problem believing that the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary, who then gave birth to a man-god who got killed, came back to life and then ascended into the sky.

    5 - You are willing to spend your life looking for little loop-holes in the scientifically established age of the Earth (4.55 billion years), but you find nothing wrong with believing dates recorded by pre-historic tribesmen sitting in their tents and guessing that the Earth is a couple of generations old.

    4 - You believe that the entire population of this planet with the exception of those who share your beliefs -- though excluding those in all rival sects -- will spend Eternity in an infinite Hell of Suffering. And yet you consider your religion the most "tolerant" and "loving".

    3 - While modern science, history, geology, biology, and physics have failed to convince you otherwise, some idiot rolling around on the floor speaking in "tongues" may be all the evidence you need to prove Christianity.

    2 - You define 0.01% as a "high success rate" when it comes to answered prayers. You consider that to be evidence that prayer works. And you think that the remaining 99.99% FAILURE was simply the will of God.

    1 - You actually know a lot less than many Atheists and Agnostics do about the Bible, Christianity, and church history -- but still call yourself a Christian.

    Posted from Pistol Princess "In tornado-ravaged Bible Belt, Churches Mobilize to Help"
    (more)
  • Chris- ... no no 2012/05/08 17:49:16
    Chris- Demon of the PHAET
    +4
    I'm standing in front of my lap top and applauding!
  • scblues... no no 2012/05/08 19:59:12 (edited)
  • Jakedog no no 2012/05/09 00:36:17
  • YouSirName no no 2012/05/10 23:45:13 (edited)
    YouSirName
    +2
    Give that man a microphone! Well said.

    well said
  • Hippygirl no no 2012/05/25 03:28:22
    Hippygirl
    +1
    I want that on a t- shirt. 1 million raves to you.
  • nightcrawler2005 2012/05/08 13:59:25
    comment
    nightcrawler2005
    +6
    Sorry as much as I sympathize with the student it is a CATHOLIC school. The school officials should have known what they were doing was going to cause problems with the church. When you go to a religious school you have to follow their policies and beliefs. Its not the students fault it was the school officials that screwed up.
  • Chris- ... nightcr... 2012/05/08 17:50:04
    Chris- Demon of the PHAET
    +2
    Sad situation for the student but you are right.
  • ally 2012/05/08 13:58:18
    comment
    ally
    +3
    I'm not surprised. Disgust comes easily against someone like Bishop Amos when they are allowed to traipse all over the happiness and rights of others, using the excuse "church doctrine". The school officals should have stood up and gone against his ruling.


    Keaton Fuller's tainted Gay money was good enough to pay for his catholic education, but honoring him is something else. The church's tolerance and anti-bullying is overwelming.
  • Tominator 2012/05/08 13:11:09
    comment
    Tominator
    What is a church official doing ruling on a matter of education?? That not withstanding IF a college board wants to embarass their school with a ridiculous award like that they should be able to do so. I would not want that going on at my school.
  • Mandy 2012/05/08 13:06:56
    comment
    Mandy
    +2
    What the Bishop did was actually not wrong. He was doing his job according to the Catholic Church. Hopefully the outraged people will realize this and take it out on the CATHOLIC CHURCH and not the Bishop. The CHURCH is what is wrong. I think it's time for a mass exodus.
  • classic Mandy 2012/05/08 16:57:39
    classic
    +1
    I wonder what skeletons are in the good Bishops closet.. more than likely he is a closet pedophile..or even a Homosexual himself...Always wondered about men that dressed in skirts and avoided the natural Sex habits of normal men.......
  • Mandy classic 2012/05/08 19:12:12
    Mandy
    Hey now! Calm down. ;) I grew up in the Catholic church, and I believe most of them are good people—misguided by a screwed up religion—but good at heart. I know there are a lot of pedophile priests out there, but it's not fair to paint them all with that broad brush.
  • classic Mandy 2012/05/08 22:02:23
    classic
    +1
    I have painted no one with a brush,., I speak from fact..My comment was not about Catholic PEOPLE per se' It was about a loud mouth bishop, and seeing that over 60 percent of those celibate people are weird in some fashion or other,, I was wondering about his skeletons before he makes any judgements.....
  • Mandy classic 2012/05/09 01:51:30
    Mandy
    He may have skeletons in his closet--as most people do to some extent--but accusing him of being a closet pedophile or homosexual isn't necessary. Where do you get your stats of 60 percent of "those celibate people" being "weird in some fashion?"
  • classic Mandy 2012/05/09 13:31:02 (edited)
    classic
    I used the word weird in being nice... If you do some research, you will find out that Priests and religious pastors around 60 percent are addicted to pornography, and 40 percent engage in illicit sex practices whether it be affairs, Homosexual . or pediphilia.....Do some research child,, and you will be shocked at what you dont know... Common sense dictates if a person chooses to not be Normal,, there is something hiding beneath the surface......Research is the Key word,, Ir broadens the mind...

    Here is a tidbid from one report.. I will let you find the rest..

    Catholic priests are struggling with pornography, especially internet pornography as well.

    : A Real Priest Speaks ], “Lust is a very powerful sin and it destroys human freedom. Lust is a real problem for most men. Lust is more powerful than an addiction to drugs or to alcohol.”

    Many affirm that celibacy is the reason why priests have sexual addictions.I believe the addiction is primarily driven by a disorder in our emotions.

    ^ | April 23, 2010 | Father James Farfaglia


    This is a bit of a report By a PRIEST.. he admits they have a disorder......
  • Mandy classic 2012/05/09 13:42:43
    Mandy
    First of all, I don't appreciate being called a child. Secondly, it's not my job to research your claims. Third, who are you to deem what is normal or not? That word can be taken in many different ways. If you're referring to deviant sexual behavior (of which, I would not include homosexuality) then again, you're going to have to cite your sources. I'm not saying you're wrong, but I don't buy what you're claiming, and I won't without some valid sources.
  • Chris- ... Mandy 2012/05/08 17:50:48
    Chris- Demon of the PHAET
    RIGHT!
  • den 2012/05/08 13:06:17
    comment
    den
    +2
    in the OT so called gay behavior called for the death penal;ty and is soundly condemned in the NT ,I am not catholic[God forbid], but gay behavior is a shame and disgrace to mankind and any one that takes part in it or supports it is an absolute fool
  • classic den 2012/05/08 22:04:21
    classic
    +1
    And again, superstitious savages wrote the bible.. It was Written by men , pushing ther morals and beliefs off as something coming from some god,, Made it easier for them to engulf the Gullible.....It was man that said it was a shame, because they were different than they were, just as today.....
  • classic den 2012/05/09 13:54:05
    classic
    Homosexual bonding has been observed in over 500 species of animals, why are humans the only species that makes a big deal out of it.. And then why did this GOD make them that way??? I know,, the lame excuse that God had nothing to do with it.. Well this God hasnt done anything to change it either has it.. so what good is this GOD? if it wont make things the way you want them???
  • Artist 2012/05/08 13:01:32
    comment
    Artist
    +2
    Well on the one hand the Bishop did right by directing the school back from the edge but then didn't they already fall over it by allowing an openly gay student in it's ranks? And then the school allows gay students to have same-sex partners at a dance? Whoa! Sounds like the Bishop needs to go in there and clean house.

    I'm beginning to wonder if this article is true as there is no link (though I did verify it just now). I would expect something like this in New York City perhaps, certainly San Francisco but in a town in Iowa of only 26,000? Funny how the Eychaner Foundation found the one gay student in a Catholic school in a very small town...hmm.
    Either way this post continues the fine tradition of persecution of Christians as predicted in the Bible.
  • classic Artist 2012/05/08 22:05:30 (edited)
    classic
    +1
    You sound like a Bigot,, what would you do with Gay people, that desire an education?????

    Sure it says in the bible they would be persecuted.. the dudes that wrote the bible new they were telling BS and lies and would be questioned by everyone.. Heaven forbid anyone question the bible or a christian,, Christians are worse than the Jews.. Woe is me , why do you always persecute me,,, Same old crap from christians and jews.. We are not the ones that are wrong, everyone else is....Been hearing that crap all my life......
  • Artist classic 2012/05/08 23:59:48
    Artist
    +1
    Hmmm...seems you and I are in the same camp for different reasons. Have a bad day?
    As to gays in a Catholic church...duh?
  • Guru_T_Firefly 2012/05/08 12:59:49
    comment
    Guru_T_Firefly
    +1
    How typical. Apparently, bigotry and intolerance are thriving in Iowa's Catholic churches.
  • Nameless 2012/05/08 12:43:30
    comment
    Nameless
    +2
    What a shame. While the Catholic Church may have a problem with awarding this scholarship, hopefully Keaton Fuller will still receive it from the Foundation. Unfortunately, when one attends a religiously based school, these are the kinds of issues faced. Still, though, it's unbelievable. Thankfully, there are those in the Catholic Church who understand and support GLBT issues and support them.
  • bob 2012/05/08 12:29:51
    comment
    bob
    +2
    It's funny how Christians are such biggots and claim to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ
  • HenriLe... bob 2012/05/08 12:45:36
    HenriLewkowiczhenri
    +2
    not only BIGOTS , but murderer ..in the last 2000 years ,they have killed ,murder , burned , raped , forced conversions ,commit genocides and much more ........
  • Artist HenriLe... 2012/05/08 13:02:24
    Artist
    +2
    You mean muslims, right?
  • HenriLe... Artist 2012/05/08 15:22:46
    HenriLewkowiczhenri
    no sir i mean CHRISTIANS FOR EXAMPLES CRUSADES , INQUISITIONS , GENOCIDES , POGROMS ,,RAPED , FORCED CONVERSIONS THE AMER INDIANS THE HOLOCAUST ALL PERPETRATED BY CHRISTIANS .......
  • Artist HenriLe... 2012/05/08 15:23:46
    Artist
    +1
    And one hell of a lot of muslims...Christians got over it.
  • gkirmani Artist 2012/05/08 18:41:31
    gkirmani
    Hey Artist................truth BITES
  • Artist gkirmani 2012/05/09 00:00:21
    Artist
    +1
    Glad you agree with me...
  • classic HenriLe... 2012/05/08 16:59:41
    classic
    Not to mention the millions of pedophile cases and homosexuality among some 3000 priests that they know about, and many more coming to light everyday....
  • Guru_T_... bob 2012/05/08 13:00:31
    Guru_T_Firefly
    +1
    I wish it was funny, instead, it's just sad.
  • James R... bob 2012/05/08 17:59:29
    James Rowntree
    +1
    Somehow I can't imagine Jesus being OK with a Gay and Lesbian group promoting its values at one of his meetings. This scholarship is just a tool being used to promote the gay agenda in schools and colleges. If they just want to pay the scholarship, OK... but they want the publicity, the public promotion of gay values. Don't expect the Church to just bend over and take that.

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