Tampa Parents Sue ‘Academy Of the Holy Names’ Question Catholic School’s Teaching Woke Culture
A Tampa couple is suing Catholic school ‘Academy of Holy Names’ and demanding the return of a large donation for not being true to their Catholic values including issues like race and accepting the LGBTQ community.
Anthony and Barbara Scarpo filed their lawsuit against the Academy of the Holy Names after they pledged $1.35 million to the school.
They say the school has “lost its way” by embracing a “woke culture” and when it comes to open conversation “gender identity, human sexuality and pregnancy termination among other hot button issues.”
Attorney Adam Levine is representing the Scarpo family in the lawsuit and says the focus of the school’s education has changed.
“The school shifted from offering a Catholic education to offering a much more liberal, much more secular education, where the education started to leave out anything related to the church,” said Levine.
The family’s attorney Adam Levine says they’re not against learning about these new issues but also want the Catholic Church traditional teachings presented in the same conversation.
He said, “This is not about, we’re not allowed to talk about same-sex marriage. This is all about if you are going to talk about it, and you are going to educate our students about it, at least provide the church’s position on same-sex marriages.”
“The Academy’s curriculum is, and always has been, based on Catholic values and rigorous academic standards. Our graduates have earned admittance to many of the best colleges and universities in America and matriculate prepared for rich and rewarding lives. The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, the school’s founding order, are dedicated to the full development of the human person through education, social justice, contemplation and the arts. They live each day promoting their core values, which are at the heart of their charism. Special concern for poor and marginalized people, women and children characterizes their ministry in every setting.”
The schools attorney is calling this a publicity stunt and says the lawsuit is “grossly incorrect as a factual matter and will be proven as such.”
