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Reversing course and citing diocesan policy, a Catholic school inClinton, Iowa, will not permit a foundation representative topresent a scholarship award to an openly gay student at theschool s awards assembly. Instead, school officials will personally present the award to thestudent. Staff at Prince of Peace Catholic School encouraged Keaton Fuller,a senior, to apply for the Eychenar Foundation s Matthew ShepardScholarship. According to the foundation, the scholarship isawarded to openly LGBT Iowa high school seniors with a GPA of 3.0or better on a 4.0 scale, an ACT score of 22 or better,demonstratable [sic] LGBT activism and community service, and ahistory of high moral and ethical standards and conduct. After the foundation decided to award a scholarship to Fuller,school staff told the foundation that a foundation representativewould be permitted to present the award to Fuller. The Diocese ofDavenport, citing the diocese s long-standing policy regardingguest speakers, overruled the school s decision. This policy was explained to Keaton s parents at their meetingwith Bishop Martin Amos last week, according to a diocesanstatement. It [the policy] states: We cannot allow any one orany organization which promotes a position that is contrary to theteachings of the Catholic Church to present at a diocesaninstitution. Bishop Amos also expressed his congratulations for Keaton sreception of the award and recognized his hard work in achievingit, the statement continued. Ed O Neill, president of Prince of Peace s school board,criticized the diocese s decision. Describing himself as disappointed and confused, O Neill saidthat if you say you re going to do something, you do it. I guess I don t understand what the big deal is about somebodyfrom the foundation coming to present the award, he added. Responding to the diocese s decision, gay rights activist RichardEychenar stated: The mission of the Eychaner Foundation is to promote tolerance,understanding and anti-bullying policies. We help Lesbian, Gay,Bisexual and Transgender students survive and work to prevent teensuicide. We re shocked that Bishop Amos and the Diocese ofDavenport find these positions contrary to the teachings of theCatholic Church . Do their beliefs support intolerance and bullying? How can it be acceptable to have school staff present the award inthe school, but not allow the sponsor of the award to make thepresentation? How is the award itself acceptable to Catholicbeliefs but not those who make it possible? Why would we allowothers to present an award we make possible? What is objectionable about a mission of tolerance andunderstanding, supporting bullied students and suicide preventionthat makes us unwelcome at Prince of Peace, but not representativesof US Military Academies and casinos who are allowed to presentscholarships at diocesan schools?. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as Laser Tattoo Removal Machines , Permanent Laser Hair Removal Machines Manufacturer, and more. For more , please visit ipl Laser Equipment today!
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