Catholic News 2

St. Catharines, Canada, May 10, 2017 / 10:04 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A Catholic school district in southern Ontario has responded to complaints after its cancellation of a play about gender identity for elementary students because of age-appropriateness concerns.

The play was created and performed by Carousel Playhouse, a company with which the Niagara Catholic District School Board, which serves the St. Catharines-Niagara area, has partnered for 45 years.

The play in question, Boys, Girls and Other Mythological Creatures, was booked in five elementary schools in the school district. But after one performance last week the other schools cancelled their performances, all citing scheduling conflicts.

Carousel Players artistic director Jessica Carmichael published an open letter on the theater’s website last week, stating that she feared the cancellations were “based on misinformation, grown out of fear, intolerance, transphobia, homophobia and misogyny.”

The Niagara Catholic District School Board responded this week, saying that the play was cancelled because school professionals believed the material of the play was inappropriate for a primarily elementary school audience.

The school argues that the content and storyline of the play was not fully disclosed in the advertising, and that it was marketed as a fairytale play rather than as a play about an 8 year old boy who questions his gender identity.

According to the school district, the description of the play stated: “Deep in Simon’s basement is a secret world of imagination and adventure - where a young prince can transform into mythological creatures! Simon invites new neighbour Abby to help save a princess in a battle against a fire-breathing dragon. Meanwhile, in reality, Simon’s older brother Zach’s not so sure about all this dressing up and fairy tale business…A thoughtful and hilarious new play about our ability to transform!”

Because of the previous relationship with the company, the district did not review the play beyond the description.

“Following the first performance of the play, it was brought to the attention of the Program Department that the play was not age-appropriate for a predominantly primary audience. Further, it was not originally presented as a play about gender identity and the contents of the play required both pre-performance and post-performance discussion with students to prepare and discuss how the play’s message aligns with various curriculum expectations, including the Health and Physical Education Curriculum,” the district said.

“The decision to defer showing the play ... was to afford time for further discussion and preparation with age-appropriate students and how the message links to curriculum expectations. It is unfortunate that Carousel Players did not provide a synopsis of the play that fully disclosed the content and storyline.”

In an interview with a local radio program, Niagara Catholic Director of Education John Crocco said that the district is fully inclusive and compliant with education guidelines, and that is has a responsibility to decide what is age appropriate for its students. He added that because of the misadvertising, teachers and school officials did not have time to inform parents ahead of time of the play’s content.

“We have a responsibility to students and their families first, to ensure that we teach and provide opportunities such as presentations and plays that are age appropriate and consistent with our Gospel values,” he said. “...our staff felt that the play went beyond the description and the expectations, and it was beyond the accepting of differences.”

“It’s important to remember that there’s no expectation or requirement to have this play performed in our schools to meet any curriculum requirements … and we have the ability to decide if it’s performed or not,” he added.

Crocco said that additional conversations would be needed with the Carousel Players about the miscommunication about the play’s storyline and content.

In their statement, the district board said that it will continue to ensure a “safe, inclusive and accepting climate of respect, dignity and trust, consistent with the Gospel Values.”

It added that it still plans to work with Carousel Players in the future.

“It is our hope that with this learning opportunity for both Carousel Players and Niagara Catholic, we can engage Carousel Players in a further discussion about future offerings, how we can design pre- and post-discussions with students, inform parents about the content of the play and ensure that it is a rich and safe learning opportunity for all students. We look forward to continuing our longstanding relationship with Carousel Players in the future.”

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Philadelphia, Pa., May 10, 2017 / 03:08 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Catholic bishops of Pennsylvania will dedicate each Catholic diocese and eparchy in the state to the Virgin Mary later this year.

“What prompted the proposal was the intent for the dioceses and eparchies in the Commonwealth to observe the 100th Anniversary of the apparition of the Blessed Mother at Fatima,” Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia said May 9.

The decision was made at the bishops’ provincial meeting May 1.

The official dedication will include a special noontime Mass with all the bishops at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the Pennsylvania capital of Harrisburg. The Mass will take place Sept. 27, during the next provincial meeting of the bishops.

There will be observances in each diocese and eparchy the weekend of Oct. 14-15.

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Crookston, Minn., May 10, 2017 / 03:12 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Bishop Michael Hoeppner of Crookston, Minn. has rejected a lawsuit’s assertion that he coerced a deacon candidate into renouncing his claim that a priest sexually abused him as a teen.

Ronald Vasek has filed a lawsuit against the bishop and the Diocese of Crookston seeking both unspecified damages exceeding $50,000 and the release of records of sexual abuse by priests in the diocese, Reuters reports. Vasek has claimed that the bishop threatened the man’s efforts to become a deacon and his son’s career in the priesthood.

“Bishop Hoeppner categorically denies that he in any way forced, coerced or encouraged Mr. Vasek not to pursue his allegations,” the diocese said, adding that the bishop and other leaders are “deeply saddened and troubled” by the allegations.

Vasek charged that in 1971, at the age of 16, he was molested during a trip to Cincinnati by Msgr. Roger Grundhaus, a priest of the diocese who went on to become vicar general. The trip was for a meeting of canon lawyers, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

He reportedly informed a priest about the abuse in 2009 or 2010, while he was considering becoming a deacon. The lawsuit said the information was passed on to Bishop Hoeppner.

According to the diocese, the allegation of abuse was reported to law enforcement in 2011. Msgr. Grundhaus has been retired since July 2010 and is presently suspended from active ministry.

“The Diocese of Crookston plans to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter,” said the diocese, adding that further comment would be inappropriate until the investigation is completed.

In 2010, Vasek’s son was ordained a priest for the diocese. Vasek entered the diaconate program the next year.

The lawsuit charges that in 2015, Bishop Hoeppner pressured Vasek to sign a letter that recanted his previous statements alleging sexual abuse. The lawsuit claims this was motivated in part because the accused priest was unable to minister in other dioceses due to the abuse allegation in the diocese’s records.

The suit charges that the bishop told Vasek he would have trouble ordaining him a deacon unless he recanted. The bishop allegedly suggested Vasek’s son’s career in the priesthood would also face difficulty.

Vasek said he signed the letter and the bishop said he would keep it in his vault if it were ever needed. He claims that the bishop was blackmailing him.

The lawsuit further claims that a 2015 court order required the allegation against Msgr. Grundhaus to be made public, but it was not.

Vasek’s attorney is Jeff Anderson, who has been involved in many lawsuits against the Catholic Church involving sex abuse allegations.

Father Bob Schreiner, who oversees the diocese’s deacon program, stood by Vasek’s side at a May 9 news conference and said he believed him. The priest has known Vasek for over 28 years.

The diocese said it is committed to the protection of children and a safe environment in its schools, communities and parishes. Its statement encouraged anyone with information about abuse or exploitation of children or young people to report it immediately to law enforcement or to the diocese’s victims’ assistance coordinator.

Bishop Hoeppner has asked for prayers for those involved.

 

 

 

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