New Document May Exclude LGBTQ+ People From MA Catholic Schools: Group

BOSTON, MA — The local LGBTQ+ Catholic group Dignity Boston, a sector of the national organization DignityUSA, has spoken out against a newly released document from the Vatican’s Congregation for Catholic Education that could make it even more difficult for LGBTQ+ people to be part of the Catholic school system.

“The Identity of the Catholic School for a Culture of Dialogue,” which was signed by Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi and issued by the Vatican on March 29, claims to be promoting dialogue about how schools can continue to embrace a Catholic identity in the 21st century.

However, according to Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of DignityUSA and longtime member of Dignity Boston, the document contains a number of provisions that could lead to the increased exclusion of LGBTQ+ students, parents, educators, staff and allies.

“We would hope that a document on Catholic education would foster greater understanding, dialogue, and inclusion of all people, including LGBTQI persons,” said Duddy-Burke. “Unfortunately, we believe this new document from the Vatican will result in exactly the opposite happening.”

The document not only states that all teachers, leaders and staff must live in ways consistent with Catholic teaching, but also requires that parents and students be informed of how schools promote official Catholic dogma and agree with required compliance of church teaching.

"All of these things make it very challenging for LGBTQI people to feel safe within a Catholic school environment,” said Duddy-Burke.

DignityUSA believes the document’s release may have been prompted by recent controversies over whether schools can call themselves Catholic. For instance, in 2019 the archbishop of Indianapolis ordered Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School not to call itself Catholic after it refused to fire a married gay teacher. The Vatican later suspended that order.

According to DignityUSA, dozens of people have publicly told their stories of being terminated from employment or denied jobs at Catholic schools for identifying as LGBTQ+, marrying someone of the same gender, speaking out against anti-gay bullying in their classes, or posting supportive images or messages on social media.

“Catholic schools been a positive source of connection with the church for generations of people,” said Duddy-Burke. "Many have fond memories of how these schools impacted their lives. Catholic schools have long been a way for marginalized and impoverished people to access the education needed to get good jobs and security in our society. It is unfortunate that there are a number of bishops across the United States who have actively excluded LGBTQI students and families from Catholic schools, and who have fired their LGBTQI employees simply because of their identities or chosen relationships.”

"These bishops are likely to use this Vatican document to further justify their discriminatory and punitive actions,” she continued. "That kind of exclusion feels entirely inconsistent with the values of inclusion and service that are spoken about in this document.”

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