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Mixed Response To Schools' Limits On Wearing Rosaries

By Howard M. Friedman

Catholic News Service this week reported that the Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs, Colorado has decided not to oppose a decision by some Colorado Springs schools to allow students to wear rosaries only if they are tucked into their shirts. The Diocese said in an Oct. 12 statement: "Because some gangs in the local area have decided to wear rosaries as jewelry as a symbol of their gang affiliation, the diocese does not oppose the decision by some schools in School District 11 to ask students who choose to wear rosaries to keep them inside their shirts."  Last week the ACLU announced it opposed the school's policy and the American Center for Law and Justice sent a letter to the principal of Mann Middle School threatening to sue on behalf of a student if the policy is not changed. (UPI). However Colorado Springs Diocese judicial vicar and chancellor Msgr. Ricardo Coronado-Arrascue said that rosaries are not meant to be jewelry and opposed the use of rosaries to symbolize gang membership.  A memo from Mann Middle School to students and parents said that some Catholics are offended by rosaries being worn like fashion accessories.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on October 15, 2010 (boomark / email).