Dear Friends of Life,
Many of you have heard about the controversy surrounding a pamphlet handed out by Mr. Gavin Ahern, a long-time personal friend, pro-life advocate and teacher of theology at Xavier College Preparatory (XCP) in Phoenix, one of our distinguished Diocesan Catholic High Schools. If you have not, this media story will update you. – www.fox10phoenix.com – Article – www.phoenixnewtimes.com – Full Article – onemadmomblog – Article
An original petition was produced to call for Gavin’s job. You can find a counter-petition begun by two of Gavin’s current students here. www.thepetitionsite.com
I would like you to see the full statement by XCP here. It is a model of clear and faithful communication in the face of an ill-informed media blitz.
“Xavier College Preparatory is a Roman Catholic educational institution, fully committed to a belief in God according to the tenets of the Roman Catholic faith. That faith forms the very foundation of the mission: “to prepare young women with the knowledge, skills, and integrity to meet the challenges of a changing global society in a positive and productive manner.” Without our commitment to our faith, we cannot hope to achieve this vital Catholic mission.
“As an educational institution, Xavier recognizes that certain issues may be the subject of vigorous intellectual, spiritual, and moral debate. We encourage our faculty and students to explore these often controversial issues, and to participate in this healthy and constructive process as Xavier strives to educate students not only academically, but also spiritually and morally within the context of our faith.
“Among the most important, most fundamental spiritual and moral truths that Xavier imparts to its students is respect for the sanctity of human life, in all forms and at all stages. We teach our students to care for human life, to defend human life, and to speak out about the sanctity of every human life wherever it is threatened, from the first moment of conception until natural death.
We acknowledge the emotions that discussion on such matters can often evoke, and recognize that disagreements may result, even among members of the Xavier community. Nevertheless, Xavier will not allow the threat of controversy to intimidate our teachers, counselors, and administrators from discussing these important controversial issues, nor silence us in our duty to impart the values of our faith to the young women entrusted to our care.”
We can all be very proud of this statement and the strong backing of Mr. Ahern by Sr. Joan Fitzgerald, BVM and Sr. Joanie Nuckols, BVM.
This is Catholic leadership at its finest! I encourage you to pray right away for all involved and to consider signing the counter-petition and adding a message of support for Xavier’s courageous administration and Gavin Ahern, a good man and excellent teacher of the Faith who has been forming youth and adults in two Diocesan formation programs in addition to his teaching at XCP.
For background on the “controversial” pamphlet on the impact of abortion in general on the African American community and Margaret Sanger’s original eugenicist targeting of American blacks in her “Negro Project”, produced by an African American pastor and civil rights organization, go here: http://www.blackgenocide.org/abortion.html
I would also encourage looking into the work of Dr. Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Director of Civil Rights for the Unborn at Priests for Life.
In Christ,
Mike Phelan
Director of Marriage and Respect Life
Diocese of Phoenix