No Secrets

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 1:20 AM By Ski Ven
I would expect anti-Catholic propaganda to come from the Church’s enemies. In too many cases, anti-Catholic propaganda comes from the Church’s own personnel. All of the Catholics involved here in actively opposing the Catholic faith are big time CINOs. CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO CINO What are you gonna do, Maguire? How about you, k?

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 5:40 AM By Dottie
And what is Bishop Salvatore Cordileone doing about this in his Diocese? Has his Office been notified?

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 5:45 AM By Ted
And the local bishop – where’s the diocese in all this ? Has no one a backbone other than a few parents ? Vote with your discontinued contributions. It is the only recourse, it seems.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 5:56 AM By Thomas Edward Miles
Thank God the church police are on duty. Without them we would all burn in the fire of hell. Keep up the good works!!

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 5:57 AM By Sandra
Mike Arata — thank you for standing up, with courage and concern for our young people. This principal needs to be exposed and removed. As a faithful Catholic, I call on all alumni to pull their support from De La Salle, until this issue is dealt with. Arch Bishop Corlione, you read this blog, so now you know. Please remove this anti-Catholic principal.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 6:22 AM By JLS
Wonder how much money these schools get for putting on this garbage.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 7:37 AM By gk
The annual fundraising event there is called “bacchanalia.” Carondelet school for girls across the street may be even worse due to a cadres of 1960’s nuns. Dissidents have captured these two institutions for quite many years now. The question is, for how much longer?

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 7:51 AM By Catherine
Pope Benedict XVI spoke about the filth within the Church. It’s No Secret! Here is another California homosexual NEST of filth that needs removal.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 8:00 AM By Dan 
I taught 1 year at a local Catholic boys high school back in the late 80s,and a pro-homosexual program was presented to the faculty. Feedback was elicited and only mine was critical of the program. In the early 80s at another Catholic boys high school, a homosexual vice-principal, a layman who would later die of AIDS, made life miserable for me when I defended the Church’s teaching in Humanae Vitae. Well-placed individuals at Catholic high schools who are either homosexual or strongly favoring homosexual rights, have opportunity to spead their influence in either overt ways, as at LaSalle, or quiet ways, as in hiring preferences or faculty inservice. I hope my experience in Catholic high schools in the exception, and not the norm. Calcatholic is to be thanked for alerting readers to Br. Robert Wickman.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 8:32 AM By Laurette Elsberry
Bay Area Catholic schools have long been at the forefront of sexualizing its young people. A good part of the blame for this rests with Fr. James Schexnayder. Schexnayder has worked tirelessly, as a priest, for years to promote homosexuality and other perversions to Catholic kids. He has also mentored many a “Dignity” member to attain influential positions in Catholic institutions, such as Santa Clara University and Holy Names College. Why is he still allowed to practice his “kraft”?

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 8:36 AM By MD
It’s sad to see people who try to change God and His teachings to the “norms” of our society. Maybe Wickman lost his copy of the Catechism. The saddest thing here is religious not remaining faithful to their vows to the Church. It is commendable to teach compassion and love, but reprehensible to teach tolerance of immoral behavior in means that perpetuate sin in a culture of death. God Love You.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 9:07 AM By Brother Robert
As I was not contacted by the California Catholic Daily for a comment on Mr. Arata’s piece, I here supply you with my response to him. April 30, 2012 Dear Mr. Arata, I am in receipt of your correspondence of April 26, 2012. I remember well our interactions in 1995 and am disappointed to see from your April 26 message, both its tone and content, that you still carry an adversarial mindset and a disposition to characterize the views, intentions, and actions of others in a most unfair and uncharitable manner. You also have a less than accurate recollection of our interactions, including your notion that I somehow apologized to you in the aftermath of the Kaiser assembly. I recall quite well that I commented to you and others that I would have scripted the show differently in parts. I have been known to say that about a wide range of theatrical presentations. I also take exception to your characterization that I “misled readers” in my letter in the October issue of Spartan Spotlight. Insofar as you seem poised to write an article that will cast De La Salle High School in an unfavorable light of your own making, I will not be providing you with answers to your list of 20 questions. I will, however, comment in a more general fashion. De La Salle High School is a recognized and revered ministry of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. It operates with the approval of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland. De La Salle’s program of studies, environment of the school, and extracurricular activities are all designed to advance our mission to provide the best in contemporary, Catholic, college preparatory education for young men. Indeed, our Catholic identity and Lasallian character serve as anchor and horizon for us in all we do. Our programs are created, developed, and refined under the guidance of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and the prescriptions of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Our students are taught well what the Church proclaims. Our Catholic students are given the tools to become better Catholics. Those who do not share the Catholic faith are provided opportunities to know and appreciate what we propose a

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 9:19 AM By Brother Robert
Those who do not share the Catholic faith are provided opportunities to know and appreciate what we propose as they mature in their beliefs. We consider in an ongoing manner how best to communicate the Roman Catholic tradition in ways that make it understandable and compelling for young people. In a time when the message of the Christian Gospel is not received well among some, we work to build bridges, cast light, and always promote charity, justice, and the love we have been given by our triune God. We are faithful to our Roman Catholic beliefs and share the truth of Jesus Christ with all whom we encounter. Finally, De La Salle High School does not endorse, identify with, or align itself with any organizations whose purposes or messages are incompatible with the Roman Catholic faith. God Bless! Brother Robert J. Wickman, F.S.C. Principal

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 9:46 AM By Greg
I hope you will publish all of Brother Robert’s reply.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 9:55 AM By Larry
Brother Robert: you haven’t answered a single point in the above article. Your entire “response” is an evasion and a filibuster.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 9:56 AM By Sheila
Brother Robert, your actions at De La Salle, documented in this piece, speak much louder than your words written in your post of 5/2. I had always thought I would like to send my grandson to De La Salle, but not now. God help us and the Christian Brothers.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 9:58 AM By Scub
Dear Brother Robert, Your long letter says ‘nothing’. I suggest you answer the 20 questions.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 10:08 AM By PAUL
Brother Robert, do you use the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” as a required text for the entire Senior year? This is the best way to give students the tools to become better Catholics – without human error accidental or purposeful. By getting them used to studying and referring to the CCC, you are truly preparing them for their future. “….the Catechism has raised throughout the world, even among non-Christians, and confirms its purpose of being presented as a full, complete exposition of Catholic doctrine, enabling everyone to know what the Church professes, celebrates, lives, and prays in her daily life.” – Pope John Paul II (pg xiv). If your school does not use the CCC as a student text, you are not preparing them adequately. Thank you.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 10:13 AM By bhikku
have any of you people seen–at least on video–the laramie project? do you have the least idea what it is about? it is based on fact, on a bloody happening that took place in laramie wyoming. a young gay man named matthew shepherd was lured by two men to a remote place. they beat him mercilessly and left him there all night to slowly die. say what you will about the morality of the encounter, what do you say when you hear that someone is lured to a remote place and then beat mercilessly and left all alone all night to slowly die?

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 10:29 AM By Mark from PA
Brother Robert, thank you for your comments. I saw a performance of “The Laramie Project” and I found it very moving. I find the characterization of this as a “homosexualist play” to be insulting. (When I write the word it is underlined in red as a misspelling since it is not a dictionary word.) The play is about a gay man who is murdered and contains valuable lessons. It shows what a terrible thing violence and hate are. Brother Robert, please tell us about the Day of Silence and how this fits in with Catholic teaching.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 10:29 AM By Canisius
@Brother Wickman typical modernist when confronted with fact you avoid this issue altogether…you are just another example of the progay mafia that has infiltrated the Church in droves. Please God drives these people out once and for all….Burn the Rainbow Flag

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 10:40 AM By MD
Brother Robert-I thank you for your vocation and will be praying for you. Please tell me though why you would participate in things like a day of silence when it is clear from the secular world that this event is an event to propagate the sexual lifestyle of homosexuality, designed to accept homosexual behavior. Don’t you think there are other things you can do that are more in line with Church teaching that give your students a better example of the Gospel message? I understand the genesis of the day of silence is a result of bullying, but in our secular society have you taken into consideration the bullying of morality, meaning that we are expected to promote an anything goes morality and if one is bold enough to proclaim the words of Jesus and admonish disordered behavior and to repent they are mocked and ridiculed and considered intolerant and hateful. Don’t you think it is the Christians being bullied by today’s secular moral relativism? You have taken vows to be obedient to the Magisterium and I hope and pray that you take these vows seriously in daily holy hours in the Lord’s presence. God Love You.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 10:45 AM By Tom H
Brother Robert, your response is a total non sequitur. Why don’t you address the central issue; namely, that DLS promoted the Laramie Project and Day of Silence? Those programs are propaganda tools to promote the agenda of the normalization of homosexual conduct. Everything DLS needs to teach on the subject is found in the catechism: homosexual conduct is objectively disordered but people with same-sex attraction must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity, and must not be subjected to unjust discrimination. (CCC 2358.) The fact that DLS used these programs instead strongly suggests that the school has bought into the world’s view on this issue rather than standing up for the Church’s teaching.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 11:08 AM By k
Ski Ven, nothing!

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 11:33 AM By Henry
I’m still waiting for someone to show me one… yes, even ONE single reference that Jesus Christ ever makes to homosexuality. Without a single reference, I’m unclear as to why there’s such fierce anger surrounding this issue.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 11:37 AM By MJT
Brother Robert, I have seen the play, “Secrets”. It’s not appropriate for Catholic schools. It contains dialogue and scenarios that are in conflict with Catholic teaching. Moreover, it usurps the role of parents as primary educators on matters of sexual morality by introducing young people to topics outside their experience (with a few exceptions). You admitted that you would have scripted some of the content differently. If the content needed a rewrite, it wasn’t appropriate. Although it is indisputable that your school is a Catholic school in good standing, that doesn’t mean everything you present or support is free from error. When priests and religious have sexually abused minors, they did so through institutions that were in good standing with their diocese (for the most part). The fact that these institutions weren’t shut down or publicly rebuked does not constitute an Imprimatur from the bishop with respect to sexual abuse. The same principle holds in your case: just because you haven’t been publicly rebuked by your bishop doesn’t mean your bishop endorses the presentation you allowed. Finally, I would like to say that Secrets is a goofy presentation. Kids don’t take it seriously, though they do appreciate a diversion from their normal lessons. People who think presentations like these help kids are imprudent and out of touch.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 12:40 PM By former DLS mom
wow people…I dont think Jesus ever preached that we should hate people that are different than ourselves. Educate yourselves please before you condemn…at the core, the play and the day of silence were about non-violence not sexual preference. Be very careful about your accusations or you are no better than the Pharisees. We are told to love and pray for each other, not judge and condemn. DLS was the best thing that ever happened to my children. I applaud you Br. Robert for bringing the difficult topics to the forefront for the opportunity for discussion, and not hiding issues in closets or shunning people because they are different, like so many do. Well done.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 12:45 PM By ItIStheOrientation
First the NEW Roman Catholic Catechism tells us it’s just the “orientation” that must be tolerated (because who knows where this orientation arises), but now Wuerl & Schonborn have suspended priests (or retired them) for not allowing active homosexuals sacraments and leadership roles in parish. Wuerl has just been appointed to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It’s time to stop kidding ourselves – anyone who remains in communion w/Rome is setting children up to be sexually abused and twisted by degenerates. But many people are like the parents of the blind man healed by Jesus — too afraid of being kicked out of the synagogue to stand up for the truth. God will hold them accountable too.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 1:37 PM By Mike Arata
Brother Wickman’s letter to me is truncated here by Cal Catholic Daily’s 1500-character limit. I recommend the full letter’s publication. And only a small portion of my 20 questions (mentioned in Br. Wickman’s letter) can fit the character limit here…. 6. Were DLS students permitted [on Apr. 20] not to answer teacher questions in class? Were DLS teachers encouraged or mandated not to require verbal answers to teacher questions? 7. Does DLS conduct a “Day of Silence” for the victims of abortion — or individuals afflicted by birth defects, disabilities, famine, diseases, alcoholism — [or] for the victims of rapists, pederasts, pedophiles, other sexual predators, murderers — or for individuals affected by any other conditions, criminal behaviors, or tragedies? 11. Do DLS students and teachers focus selectively, as you did in your Laramie Project promotion last fall, on only a fragmentary portion of the Catechism’s teaching about homosexuality…? 14. You refer to De La Salle as “a Catholic school, and one that lives from its Lasallian heritage….” So how do you square DLS efforts to normalize homosexuality with John Baptiste De La Salle’s Meditations or his Rules of 1705 and 1718 for the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools….? 16. Your Spartan Spotlight promotion of The Laramie Project last October mentioned only the 1997 (original, unrevised) version of Always Our Children. Do DLS students read that letter, and if so, only in its original 1997 form? 17. Do DLS students read and/or study the 2006 USCCB update, Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral Care? I will appreciate hearing back from you regarding these questions (and the issues they incorporate), at your earliest convenience.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 2:00 PM By OneoftheSheep
May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon the earth; among all nations, your salvation.” Psalm 67 And Lord, we are to promote your way, your truth, your life. We are not to promote anything else, anything deviant to the truth.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 2:22 PM By Rick DeLano
Brother Robert: Your interrupted monologue above sounds like it could have been composed by a crackerjack PR firm. Your sponsorship of the GLSEN propaganda campaign and favorable review of the homosexualist “Laramie Project”, and the allegation that you have neglected through omission to provide accurate and thorough formation to your students on the question of homosexual acts as set forth in authentic Catholic teaching, raise questions which your slickly packaged non-denial denial above does not adequately address. I hope your exposure here leads to a full and thorough investigation of your activities, and the activities of other Catholic schools in California, with respect to these homosexualist propaganda exercises.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 2:32 PM By Kelly
I think it is commendable on behalf De La Salle High School to showcase something as important as the Laramie Project. I am a teacher of Catholic Catechesis in Texas and I think the most important message here is one of tolerance, compassion and love. It does not mean that because you are allowing the students and parents ( and world) to see the product of pure hatred ( i.e. killing someone because they are different) that you are condoning homosexuality. It shows me that the level of close-mindedness is very high. God loves all of us and to kill or torment someone because they are different is against His teachings. To close your eyes to the fact that this is going on in society ( the bullying and murdering of God’s creations) is a sin in my opinion. Teach your children the doctrine, the school is also, Im 100% sure of that. But an institution of learning needs to encompass the broad spectrum of what people are enduring in our society. We need to help the ones that need help and leave the judgement to God. I appreciate this school and its administration having the courage to show these productions. If you have a problem with thinking these are promoting some sort of deviant lifestyle, you may want to sit down and talk to your priest, because Im sure the intent was to teach compassion, love thy neighbor, and the messages at the core of Christianity.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 2:45 PM By Abeca Christian
Brother Wickman is using the church to promote further his gay activism. No one is doing anything to stop it. Just like the Drag show we had at USD. I forgot we don’t have church leadership but wait if a faithful priest is doing right and good, the bishop may definitely move him!

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 2:57 PM By Patrick
Who are you people? How can you vilify the good works of dedicated and loving people. Catholic teaching prescribes the dignity of all. Amen!

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 3:09 PM By Kenneth M. Fisher
8:00 AM By Dan, Unfortunately for the Church, your experience is probably more the norm! Now if they could only get those pesky newly ordained traditional priest and the new Religious Orders out of the way, they would have it made. God bless, yours in Their Hearts, Kenneth M. Fisher

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 3:20 PM By Christian Curry
I am an alumnus and 11-year teacher at De La Salle. One of the core values of our school is social justice – and it is in the spirit of propagating this value that Br. Robert approved “The Laramie Project” and the “Day of Silence”. Both of these sent the message to our students that hate-fueled violence towards anyone – regardless of their beliefs or sexual orientation – is wrong and against Catholic moral teaching. The insinuation that these programs, as they were presented at our school, were promoting sexual immorality is way off base.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 3:36 PM By alice
Sounds like Brother Robert has the “party line” commited to memory…too bad he can’t say the same for the CCC. He says their programs are “created, developed and refined” under the guidance of the teachings of the RCC…not based on the teachings…that’s a huge difference…a difference that would keep me from sending my son there. It appears they are more interested in making these young men into their idea of what a “better Catholic” is…scary.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 3:42 PM By Believer
Christianity is about love and forgiveness. When we judge others, we lose our faith.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 3:48 PM By JLS
Believer, you are speaking falsely. Christ is the Judge, and the true believers act in concert with Him. He has said that the world is already judged. Judgment is already here, “Believer”. By the way you cannot have forgiveness unless there is consciousness of judgment. Have you ever considered learning how to reason, or are you ok with passing along whatever media bites tickle your fancy?

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 3:54 PM By JLS
A. The “Laramie” project is a slur on the fine city of Laramie, Wyoming. B. According to Christian Curry, the “gospel” being taught at Br. Robert’s school is “Hate is bad”. C. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is considerably different. D. Sounds like Br Robert and La Salle school is another messianic cult.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 3:56 PM By JLS
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not the same as the Gospel of Tolerance. That of Jesus is true; but, that of the Tolerance movement is a false religion.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 4:00 PM By Beefalo
It’s noteworthy that Brother Robert’s response is a complete non sequitur. He never addresses the real question: why is a Catholic high school choosing to promulgate the Laramie Project and the Day of Silence, both of which were created as propaganda in furtherance of the agenda to normalize same-sex attraction and conduct? DLS should be engaged in healthy efforts to educate its students on the Church’s teaching, which is that homosexual inclinations are objectively disordered but people who experience them must be treated with respect, compassion, and sensitivity, and should never be subjected to unjust discrimination. (CCC 2358.) The Church already teaches what these students need to know, including that violence against gays and lesbians is deplorable. So, DLS certainly could teach that without using these propaganda pieces, which employ an emotionally charged “anti-bullying” campaign in the effort to normalize same sex inclinations and behaviors.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 4:00 PM By max
“Catholic high school in Concord exposed” – what a bunch of bull!!! The school in quesdtion is not EXPOSED but rtaher exposing its students to the real world, unlike the pseud-0Amish Catholicism some in this blog seem addicted to. DO you think there are no gay people in the reals worlld? no violence? no bigotry? no self-0righteous creeps who think THE SCARLET LETTER was a good idea? get real! I applaud the Christ6ian Brothers who have dedicatead their lives to God, and helping young people get ready for planet Earth, not some Utopia in the skies.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 4:48 PM By MD
Henry-Jesus did not directly address abortion either, so does this mean He advocates the killing of unborn babies? The Lord speaks to us through His Bride, the Church as He gave the Magisterium and Pope authority to proclaim His Word by saying “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (MT 16: 19) The Church teaches about human sexuality very clearly as both unitive and procreative and these two dimensions are absolutely inseparable from one another. I think you confuse “fierce anger” with the despising of sin and sinful behavior as many people on here are merely proclaiming the Truth. In a morally relativistic society the truth is there is no truth and everyone creates their own truth, or what they think is truth; basically it is the ideology that there are absolutely no absolutes. For this statement to be true, there has to be absolutes, and there is a Truth, namely Jesus Christ who gave His Church authority to proclaim His word in matters of faith and morals. God Love You.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 4:51 PM By Abeca Christian
Believer you are not preaching the bible well with your personal theology. There is a lot of ignorance in what you just posted.

Posted Wednesday, May 02, 2012 5:01 PM By MD
DLS Mom-There are ways of bringing difficult topics to the school in the light of the Gospel in lieu of participating in events that aim to stifle the Gospel. As I stated earlier, we live in a society that proclaims everyone has their own truth, a time of great moral relativism and everyone can voice their opinion unless they speak the Truth as given to man by God. The Church loves people with same sex attraction far greater than any activist who promotes days of silence and events such as this because the Church’s aim is not to accept immoral behavior, but to save the eternal soul of people and admonish immoral behavior. Tolerance and moral indifference is the work of satan who aims to souls for eternity because it provides the notion that “I would not do that, but I cannot judge what is moral for another person.” The idea that one person’s truth is not the truth for everyone is today’s greatest lie. Why not do a 1 day seminar on the Theology of the Body for teens instead of having a day of silence? We as Catholics are called to a higher standard of love and charity, one that not only leads to earthly life, but eternal salvation. God Love You.