Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

California: Catholic school removes statues to avoid offending Muslim students
Marin Independent Journall via Pamela Geller ^ | Aug 24, 2017 | Richard Halstead

Posted on 08/29/2017 10:23:27 AM PDT by Oatka

“The students attending San Domenico come from a variety of religious backgrounds besides Christianity: Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam.” If there are any Jews attending this school, you can be sure that they didn’t complain about the statues. Buddhists and Hindus in the U.S. have never complained about Christian symbols being displayed in Christian institutions, either. There is only one group that this is all about, the religion of the perpetually enraged and aggrieved.

“San Anselmo’s San Domenico School creates stir by removing Catholic statues,” by Richard Halstead, Marin Independent Journal, August 24, 2017:

Removal of a number of statues and other smaller Catholic icons from the campus of San Domenico School in San Anselmo has raised concerns among some parents.

In an email to the school’s board of directors, Dominican Sisters of San Rafael and the head of school, Shannon Fitzpatrick objected to the removal of the statues and other steps the school has taken in an effort to make the school more inclusive.

“Articulating an inclusive foundation appears to mean letting go of San Domenico’s 167-year tradition as a Dominican Catholic school and being both afraid and ashamed to celebrate one’s heritage and beliefs,” wrote Fitzpatrick, whose 8-year-old son attends the school.

She added, “In our time here, the word ‘Catholic’ has been removed from the mission statement, sacraments were removed from the curriculum, the lower school curriculum was changed to world religions, the logo and colors were changed to be ‘less Catholic,’ and the uniform was changed to be less Catholic.”

Responding to follow-up questions Monday, Fitzpatrick wrote, “There are other families having the same concerns I do. Many parents feel if the school is heading in a different direction then the San Domenico community should have been notified before the signing of the enrollment for the following year.”

Cheryl Newell, who had four children graduate from San Domenico, said, “I am extremely disappointed in the school and the direction they’ve been going. This isn’t a new thing that they’ve been intentionally eroding their Catholic heritage. They’re trying to be something for everyone and they’re making no one happy,”

Kim Pipki, whose daughter left San Domenico two years ago after graduating from ninth grade, said some of the statues were also important to families who aren’t Catholic.

“The one main statue that has everyone fired up is the baby Jesus and Mary one,” Pipki said. “It was at the center of the primary school courtyard.”

Pipki said the school had a ceremony during which children would place a crown on the statue of Mary.

“It was less about God and more about passing on some traditions,” Pipki said. “People were shocked that the statues were pitched in the basement.”

Amy Skewes-Cox, who heads San Domenico School’s board of trustees, said the relocation and removal of some of the school’s 180 religious icons was “completely in compliance” with San Domenico’s new strategic plan, approved unanimously by the board of trustees and the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael last year. She said at least 18 icons remain, including a statue of St. Dominic at the center of the campus.

She noted that it was unfortunate the removal of the statues occurred at about the same time as the unrest in Charlottesville over the removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, and that the issues are “totally different” and have “absolutely no connection other than it is change, and people have a hard time with change.”…

One of the strategic plan’s stated goals is to “strengthen San Domenico’s identity as an independent school” and clearly articulate its “inclusive spiritual foundation.”

San Domenico was founded by the Dominican Sisters in 1850 as an independent, Catholic school — meaning that it is not owned or operated by a parish or religious order.

“San Domenico is both a Catholic school and an independent school,” said Head of School Cecily Stock, “but what we were finding after doing some research is that in the broader community we are known as being a Catholic school and are not necessarily known as an independent school. We want to make sure that prospective families are aware that we are an independent school.”

Of the 660 students who attend the K-12 school, 121 are boarding students and 98 of these are international students from British Columbia, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mexico, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. The students attending San Domenico come from a variety of religious backgrounds besides Christianity: Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam….


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: catholic; muslim; oc; religion
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-28 next last
"in an effort to make the school more inclusive."

Code words for "We are kneeling to Islam".

1 posted on 08/29/2017 10:23:28 AM PDT by Oatka
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Oatka

Just replace them with statues of Mohammed. I’m sure that will work.


2 posted on 08/29/2017 10:25:08 AM PDT by \/\/ayne (I regret that I have but one subscription cancellation notice to give to my local newspaper.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oatka

Immigration without assimilation is an invasion.


3 posted on 08/29/2017 10:28:27 AM PDT by SERKIT ("Blazing Saddles" explains it all.......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oatka

Swell- be sure to prosecute ‘hate speech’ (ie anything biblical that might offend a muslim) too- also hide bibles- muslims are offended when they see those- make sure you have plenty of copies of the koran inplace of the bibles- so that you’ll keep the muslims happy- and be sure to vacate the church/school as soon as muslism show up as well because many muslims think you are infidels and are you offensive to them

Maybe all you cali school catholics can pray out in the streets while the muslims are using the school and church- just don’t get caught praying- wouldn’t want to offend them


4 posted on 08/29/2017 10:30:36 AM PDT by Bob434
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oatka

“Not Offending Islam” means implementing Sharia.


5 posted on 08/29/2017 10:30:42 AM PDT by PGR88
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: \/\/ayne

Just take the heads off the statues. That should make everyone feel better.


6 posted on 08/29/2017 10:34:41 AM PDT by freefdny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Oatka

Years and years ago, I attended Catholic schools for the majority of my grade and high school years. College was quite easy, even up to and past my STEM PhD.

But, I’m afraid that I’d avoid Catholic schools (and especially Catholic universities) like the plague now. (With the caveat that ANY religious school is better than a public school.)

I do not know the reason, but I do know that when a Catholic university hides the crucifix in order to host Dorkbama, the Muslim quota boy eunuch, they have completely lost any vestige of faith. And any religious school that bends over for the world’s foremost religion of hate and death, well, that school deserves a rapid death by no students.


7 posted on 08/29/2017 10:38:53 AM PDT by Da Coyote
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oatka

Unfortunately, this is the new normal. And what we lose, we lose forever.

In 100 years, folks will be amazed - literally amazed - that there once were crosses in Catholic schools, and there once were Confederate monuments in parks.


8 posted on 08/29/2017 10:48:25 AM PDT by Leaning Right (I have already previewed or do not wish to preview this composition.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oatka

NO, just remove the Muslims!


9 posted on 08/29/2017 10:48:34 AM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oatka

Since when do parochial schools care if they are inclusive


10 posted on 08/29/2017 10:49:35 AM PDT by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oatka

The muzzies are not going to return the favor. Kick them out.


11 posted on 08/29/2017 10:51:02 AM PDT by I want the USA back (Lying Media: completely irresponsible. Complicit in the destruction of this country.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oatka

Direct link to original article;
http://www.marinij.com/social-affairs/20170824/san-anselmos-san-domenico-school-creates-stir-by-removing-catholic-statues


12 posted on 08/29/2017 10:55:07 AM PDT by posterchild (Science makes the Dr. see what is not, and prevents him from seeing what is clear to everyone else)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: \/\/ayne

Moslems would actually consider Mohammad statues to be just as idolatrous as the standard Catholic fare.


13 posted on 08/29/2017 10:55:09 AM PDT by Trod Upon (Government employees and welfare recipients are both net tax consumers. Often for life.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Oatka

Can we now demand that madrassas remove minarets and segregated prayer areas?


14 posted on 08/29/2017 10:55:51 AM PDT by GraceG ("It's better to have all the Right Enemies, than it is to have all the Wrong Friends.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Nifster

“Since when do parochial schools care if they are inclusive”

Wouldn’t want to get sued by someone who supposedly wants in.


15 posted on 08/29/2017 10:56:27 AM PDT by treetopsandroofs (Had FDR been GOP, there would have been no World Wars, just "The Great War" and "Roosevelt's Wars".)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: treetopsandroofs

Just what kind of quisling idiots and self-loathers run that school???


16 posted on 08/29/2017 11:01:11 AM PDT by hal ogen (First Amendment or Reeducation Camp?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Oatka

Why don’t they rename the school if they don’t want to “offend” anyone?


17 posted on 08/29/2017 11:02:18 AM PDT by Dapper 26
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Trod Upon

Actually far worse; that was the joke.


18 posted on 08/29/2017 11:04:32 AM PDT by \/\/ayne (I regret that I have but one subscription cancellation notice to give to my local newspaper.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: hal ogen

“Just what kind of quisling idiots and self-loathers run that school???”

People who want to please popie and promote his agenda.

Look at the extremes people voluntarily went to the past several years to please their god in the white hut.


19 posted on 08/29/2017 11:12:33 AM PDT by treetopsandroofs (Had FDR been GOP, there would have been no World Wars, just "The Great War" and "Roosevelt's Wars".)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Oatka

If they are offended they could LEAVE.


20 posted on 08/29/2017 11:28:08 AM PDT by Rurudyne (Standup Philosopher)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-28 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson