Leftists cry 'violence' after Massachusetts Catholic school system fully rejects gender ideology and gay advocacy

 The Catholic Diocese of Worcester in Massachusetts has implemented a policy in the 21 schools it oversees prohibiting "confused notions of gender ideology" and gay activism.

The diocese stresses in its new policy that sex and gender are both inseparable and immutable; "sexuality is ordered to the conjugal love of a man and a woman within the bond of marriage"; marriage is exclusively for straight couples; and it would "not serve anyone's greater good by falsifying the truth, for it is only the truth that frees us for the full life that God offers to each of us." 

The policy was approved by Bishop Robert McManus, who previously rejected a Jesuit-affiliated school's Catholic status after it refused to stop flying "Black Lives Matter" and LGBT activist flags.

The superintendent for Catholic schools in the diocese, David Perda, said in a statement last week, "While some schools had policies in place, others did not. Individual situations were arising which underscored a need for a single policy which clearly states Church teaching and provides consistent application of that teaching across all our schools." 

The diocese's insistence that its Catholic schools and the roughly 9,000 students therein hold fast and true to church teaching has enraged LGBT activists and other radical leftists, who have taken to protest and called the policy "an act of violence." 

What does the policy say?

The policy underscores that the purpose of all entities of the Catholic Church, including its schools, is to further the "saving mission of Jesus Christ."

Accordingly, rather than peddling social constructivist propaganda in the classroom or participating in the latest leftist fad, the schools "must operate in accord with the truth revealed by God in both natural law and divine revelation."

In light of church teaching, the policy underscores that sex ought to be reserved for married couples and that marriage "is always ordered by its very nature to both the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children."

The policy further intimates that unmarried persons, regardless of sexual preference, are alternatively "called to chastity."

Extra to referencing tradition, scripture, and canon law, the policy notes that Pope Francis has repeatedly rebuked gender ideology and and other such "ideologies that attempt to sunder what are inseparable aspects of reality."

Finally, the policy makes clear that this rejection of gender ideology and the LGBT agenda is not simply a matter of faith, but based on realities "also knowable through the use of properly functioning senses and right reason."

Policy implications

The policy explicitly prohibits bullying of the non-straight and the confused, but also bars students from advocating, celebrating, or expressing "same-sex attraction in such a way as to cause confusion or distraction in the context of Catholic school classes, activities, or events.

Romantic or sexual displays of any kind, straight or otherwise, are not permitted at school.

Rather than embrace woke euphemisms, the policy also notes that should homosexuality or homosexual inclinations come up in academic discussion, the term "same-sex attraction" is preferred.

In terms of transvestism, the diocese's policy states, "All students are expected to conduct themselves at school in a manner consistent with their biological sex."

School administrators, staff, and other employees will similarly "consider the gender of all students as being consistent with their biological sex, including, but not limited to, the following: participation in school athletics; school-sponsored dances; dress and uniform policies; the use of changing facilities, showers, locker rooms, and bathrooms (with rare exceptions only on a limited, case-by-case basis, to be determined by the principal of the school); titles, names, and pronouns; and official school documents."

In the event a student flouts this policy in a disruptive manner, the diocese reserves the right to oust the student from the school.

Leftist meltdown

MassLive.com reported that the youth-focused LGBT activist group Love Your Labels, MassEquality, the local YWCA, and other groups have attempted to pressure the diocese into backing down by way of protest, political pressure, and petition.

Love Your Labels denounced the diocese's reiteration of Catholic doctrine and social teaching, calling it "a regressive step that has far-reaching consequences for the wellbeing and inclusivity of over 9,00 students," adding that it "not only contradicts the core principles of inclusivity and acceptance, but also perpetuates harm to LGBTQ+ individuals."

While claiming that "faith and acceptance can coexist," the activist outfit demanded that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester "reconsider and revoke these policies, embracing a stance that values and uplifts all young people in our community."

Joshua Croke, the president of Love Your Labels, who refers to himself as a plurality, stressed that the policy is "an act of violence."

State Sen. Robyn Kennedy (D) joined Croke and a handful of other LGBT activists Wednesday to protest the diocese's affirmation of its Christian faith, stating that she was "deeply disappointed in this policy."

While she encouraged activists to fight the policy, that may be a losing battle given that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is leaning into the fight against gender ideology.

For instance, the USCCB notified Catholic health care institutions in March that they are not to perform sex-change mutilations or provide irreversible cross-sex hormones.

Worcester is not alone in remaining steadfast in its commitment to tradition.

TheBlaze previously reported that the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa, implemented a similar policy to Worcester's in its 17 schools, four hospitals, and 80 parishes, thereby buttressing old common sense.

The Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska, and others have similarly followed suit.