To the Editor:
Dear Bishop Martin Amos,
I want to express my deep gratitude for your efforts to work with the Eychaner Foundation to reach a mutually agreeable resolution for a difficult pastoral situation.
Keaton Fuller, a gay student and graduating senior at Prince of Peace Catholic School, Clinton, Iowa, had been awarded a $40,000 Matthew Shepard Scholarship, which would be presented by a representative of the Eychaner Foundation at the graduation ceremonies.
However, the presentation by a representative of the Eychaner Foundation conflicted with a long-standing diocesan policy. It states: ‘We cannot allow any one or any organization which promotes a position that is contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church to present at a diocesan institution.’
After you met with Keaton Fuller and his parents to congratulate him on his award and to explain the policy, Keaton in a public yet respectful manner asked you to reconsider.
You, Bishop Amos, did just that. You worked with the Eychaner Foundation to come up with an agreement in which Lee Morrison, superintendent of diocesan schools, read a statement written by the foundation, which you approved. Mike Simonson, a prominent architect and member of the scholarship committee, presented an eagle statue to Keaton.
Thank you, Bishop Amos, for using this teachable moment to craft a solution that respects Church teaching in a way that reflects the love and compassion of Jesus for the individual.
With gratitude,
Mary Orr
Davenport
