Parents Of Phila. Archdiocese Students Asked To Sign Letter Supporting Schools' Catholic Identity
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is asking parents to sign a letter supporting the schools' "Catholic identity."
The letter, to be included in entrance applications and school handbooks, asks parents to agree that attending Catholic school "is a privilege, not a right" and that in questions of church teaching, "the final determination rests with the Archbishop."
Archdiocese spokesman Ken Gavin in an email says parents are only being asked to sign the document -- and that it's "not meant to exclude or police anyone." This parent, who asked that we withhold her name, says if she were required to sign it, it would raise a red flag.
"By me signing that paper, I'm saying I back you up on whatever decision you make," she says. "And that wouldn't make me feel comfortable."
Gavin says the letter is not connected to the controversy at Waldron Mercy Academy, which fired a gay married teacher last June.