PERMISSION to hold a “curing homosexuality seminar” at a Caboolture Catholic school was withdrawn because its message was contrary to the school’s ethos and the Church’s teachings.
St Columban’s College principal Ann Rebgetz said the school had been misinformed as to the nature of the event planned to be held in the school hall on April 5.
“The school was initially led to believe the Miracle Christian Centre would be running a prayer meeting in the hall,” she said.
“It was only when advertisements appeared in a local newspaper that we realised the true nature of the event.”
Ms Rebgetz said the school became concerned about possible homophobic inferences.
“The meeting was promoted as being one where an American speaker would detail how he was ‘set free from homosexuality’ and advising others how this could be done,” she said.
“St Columban’s College is a caring inclusive community and we would not allow our facilities to be used by those seeking to promote views not in line with the Catholic Christian ethos of our community.”
Ms Rebgetz said some positives had emanated from the situation.
“The school has been able to be very clear on where it stands on such issues,” she said.
“It’s made students really think about such issues as homophobia and tolerance in general.”
In last week’s Catholic Leader Brendan Scarce, director of Brisbane Courage, an archdiocesan apostolate which ministers to those with same-sex attraction, also questioned the seminar’s intent.
He said a seminar with an emphasis on an instant cure for homosexuality was not an event Courage would have held.
Brisbane Catholic Education director David Hutton said the Catholic Church abhorred all forms of homophobia and would not provide a venue for an event that could give rise to such attitudes.
The 1997 Catholic Catechism paragraph 2358 states in part “the number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible.
This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.”
