A Catholic bishop in Massachusetts has issued a blanket ban on transgender students breaking school rules.
This forces them to wear the correct uniform, use the pronouns assigned at birth, enter the appropriate restrooms, and play sports that match their biological sex.
Worcester Bishop Robert McManus approved the policy in June, prohibiting students from “expressing, celebrating or advocating same-sex attraction in a way that causes confusion or distraction.”
It affects 21 schools in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester, which has more than 5,260 students. It will come into effect in the coming academic year.
The policy, announced Aug. 15, drew criticism from several state lawmakers but received praise from the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts.
A Catholic bishop in Massachusetts has issued a blanket ban on transgender students breaking school rules
Worcester Bishop Robert J. McManus approved the policy in June, prohibiting students from “expressing, celebrating, or advocating same-sex attraction in a manner that causes confusion or distraction.”
Affected are 21 schools in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester with more than 5,260 students. Pictured: Saint Paul’s Cathedral in Worcester
New guidelines require students to “behave in a way that is appropriate to their biological sex” at school.
Schools in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester have been sent the new policy to implement in handbooks for the new school year.
The Catholic Education and the Human Person policy requires students to “behave in school in a manner consistent with their biological sex.”
They must use their birth-assigned names and pronouns, and use the restrooms, showers, and locker rooms according to their biological sex, which is stated on all school documents.
This will also be consistent for sports, school-sponsored dances, and uniform policies.
Two secondary schools in the diocese wrote a joint letter to Bishop McManus earlier this month, saying their board of trustees had voted against adopting the new policy.
Saint John’s and Notre Dame Academy are reportedly sponsored by independent religious orders, meaning they do not report directly to the Diocese of Worcester.
In a letter to students and families, Saint John’s Headmaster Alex Zequiera and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Tom Buckingham said: “[We] Be confident that Saint John’s High School is already responding effectively to the issues raised in the bishop’s letter and respecting the dignity of all people.
It is not yet clear if and how schools will be penalized if the new directive is not implemented.
But Bishop McManus has previously punished those who disagree with his approach.
Two secondary schools in the diocese wrote a joint letter to Bishop McManus earlier this month, saying their board of trustees had voted against adopting the new policy
Saint John’s and Notre Dame Academy are reportedly sponsored by independent religious orders, meaning they do not report directly to the Diocese of Worcester
He dropped Catholic affiliation from the Nativity School of Worcester after it refused to remove its Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ Pride flags.
The school was also forbidden to celebrate Mass and the sacraments.
David Perda, superintendent of the diocese’s Catholic schools, said in a statement: “While some schools had policies in place, others did not.”
“Individual situations have arisen that emphasize the need for a unified policy that clearly sets forth the teachings of the Church and ensures consistent application of those teachings in all of our schools.”
Massachusetts State Senator Robyn Kennedy, who was once a Catholic student, said she was “deeply disappointed by this policy.”
“My Catholicism taught me that we should love and care for one another,” she wrote on X.
“To the young people who are being harmed by these policies, please ensure that you are seen, appreciated and loved.” Our world needs you. We celebrate you.’
State Senator Jason Lewis took to social media to criticize the policy, saying in a report released earlier this year that the diocese had withheld the names of priests accused of sexual abuse.
He said: “I am extremely disappointed that Worcester Catholic schools are planning to ban students from expressing their identity and even using their own names in the classroom.”
It is not yet clear if and how schools will be penalized if the new directive is not implemented. But Bishop McManus has previously punished those who disagree with his approach
He dropped Catholic affiliation from the Nativity School of Worcester after it refused to remove its Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ Pride flags
The Nativity School of Worcester school was also forbidden to celebrate Mass and the Sacraments
“The same diocese that earlier this year protected the names of known child abusers and forced a school to stop calling itself Catholic after raising Pride and BLM flags last year continues to harm children with actions aimed at students to exclude and to shame.”
“I hope that the diocese will quickly recognize the great harm they are doing and come up with new policies that support the love and inclusion that the Catholic Church preaches.”
But the policy was praised by the Catholic Action League.
Its executive director, CJ Doyle, said, “Catholic parents should have a reasonable expectation that Catholic schools offer a real alternative to the secular values and practices that prevail in the government-controlled public school system, which often run counter to Christian morality and parental rights.”
has reached out to the Diocese of Worcester for comment.