Academy of the Holy Names is too 'woke,' not Catholic enough, lawsuit says

[Zorro]

A family who gifted the Tampa school $1.35 million wants their donation rescinded, tuition returned.

At a fundraising gala in 2017, Anthony and Barbara Scarpo announced they had pledged $1.35 million to “our cherished” Academy of the Holy Names, a Catholic school in Tampa attended by their two daughters.

The couple asked for their donation to be used toward the school’s master plan and for scholarships for disadvantaged students. They were named chairs of the academy’s fundraising campaign and the school renamed its auditorium the “Scarpo Family Theatre.”

Four years later, the family and the school are at odds, with the Scarpos alleging fraud and a lack of fidelity to Catholic teaching. With one daughter graduated and the other transferred to a different high school, the couple last week filed a 13-count, 45-page lawsuit asking that their pledge be rescinded.

The school, they charge, has “lost its way” by distancing itself from mainstream Catholicism and embracing a divisive “woke culture” where priority is given to “gender identity, human sexuality and pregnancy termination among other hot button issues.” The lawsuit makes clear the couple’s displeasure with the way the school has dealt with issues of race, saying students are made to feel guilty for being white and having enough money to attend the academy.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2021/07/06/academy-of-the-holy-names-is-too-woke-not-catholic-enough-lawsuit-says/

[OldBaldy1701E]

1. Really?

...saying students are made to feel guilty for being white and having enough money to attend the academy.

The students (what that really means is the parents) were 'made' to feel guilty? Let's examine what whites have done over the past 400+ years... let's examine what the Catholic church has done in the last 1800+ years. 'Made' to feel guilty? If they did not feel guilty before this, I doubt they could be 'made' to feel guilty. I think it is more that the students are beginning to realize just what their parents have been feeding them is a lie, and the parents don't like it. But, this is my opinion and I don't know anything.

[CurtEastPoint]

2. Ah! Here they are now...

[madaboutharry]

3. It seems to me it is the Scarpos who have lost their way.

Didn’t Jesus believe in the things the Scarpos are against, like tolerance, social justice, and not being racist?

[Bettie]

5. Not commie liberal Jesus

MAGAJesus! Racism, intolerance, and zero justice! That's how he and his followers roll!

[madaboutharry]

7. I don't think "real" Jesus would like this MAGA crap.

I am certain of few things, but I am sure of that.

[Bettie]

8. Yep. You are right

that's why they had to morph Bible Jesus into their own twisted version. They've been working on it for decades.

I barely recognize the religious people I've known for most of my life.

[3Hotdogs]

11. I don't know. Every photo I've seen of Jesus,

they only have white people in them. Last Supper? Only white people. Pieta? Two white people. And there ya have it.

[Solly Mack]

4. So by rejecting racism, the school is harming their white children? Typical racists being racist.

The lawsuit points to another letter, this one sent from Art Raimo, then-president of the academy, and Ernie Garateix, chairman of the school’s board, about the creation of a justice, equity, diversity and inclusion committee. Ken Whitney became president of the school on July 1.

The letter stated that “rejecting the racism and hatred reflected in the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor … it is imperative we have conversations that are uncomfortable, learn from them, reconcile and grow.”

It also said that “the social teaching of the Church and our participation within this teaching should be at the heart of what guides our work as a community. The well-being of all — staff and pupils — requires the removal of any barriers of prejudice, discrimination and oppression if we are all to strive and realize our full potential as unique and fulfilled human beings.”



According to the lawsuit, the letter by Raimo and Garateix did not “recognize the harm to their White, non-Diverse students by making them believe that they and their families are personally responsible for the historic harm(s) some members of our society have visited on other members of our society".

”

[JHB]

6. "I wasn't expecting the Non-Inquisition!"

"Where's the surprise? (Oh, wait, I guess I got that...)
Where's the fear?
Where's the ruthless efficiency?
Where's the almost fanatical devotion to the Pope? (Oh, wait, they are doing that, 'cause this Pope's 'woke' too. I miss Ratz. Why did he have to retire?)"

[tanyev]

9. Scarpo family theater, indeed.

[spanone]

10. So, they think they bought themselves a church? Shove you money up your asses, scarpos.

[luckone]

12. Hardcore republicans real mad their children are being taught empathy

All they wanted was for their kids to be against certain people or rights and feel superior because of their religion
instead they got this stuff !
It’s not a tuition refund they are seeking it’s a gift refund
sick they thought the gift meant influence

[XanaDUer2]

13. Rescinding donation money is disgusting nt

[DonCoquixote]

14. i bet they do nto liek pope Francis

https://columbuscatholic.org/documents/2017/9/5%20Quotes%20From%20Pope%20Francis%20on%20Racism%20Xenophobia%20and%20Immigration.pdf

[Mad Lib]

15. If the facts make you feel guilty...

that's on you. Maybe a little introspection is exactly what you needed.