Catholic school rejects child of lesbian parents

BOULDER, Colo. -- A preschooler is caught in the middle of a fight between religion and sexuality. Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School, in Boulder, has refused to readmit a preschooler because the child has two moms. Her parents are lesbians.

"God and Jesus would not allow discrimination in that way," said Joellen Raderstorf, one of about two dozen demonstrators who turned out at Sunday's church service.

Most of the protesters stood silently, across the street, holding signs. One read "God loves all people."

Some of them went inside during mass. The priest addressed the situation in his sermon.

"He feels like it's a calling to be strict with upholding the catholic principles," said Dave Ensign, president of the Board of Directors of Boulder Pride, a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender organization.

"People who understand the Catholic teaching will understand why the decision was made," said Fabien Ardila, a member of the parish.

However, not everyone in the parish agreed with the decision.

"I just feel the Catholic church is a church that should be teaching acceptance and tolerance. I just don't think this is an example of that," Juli Aderman-Hagerty told 7NEWS as she was leaving mass. "Father Breslin said it right. We're all sinners. Why discriminate against this end of sinners?"

Church leaders declined to answer questions from 7NEWS.

However, the Archdiocese of Denver did issue this statement:

"To preserve the mission of our schools, and to respect the faith of wider Catholic community, we expect all families who enroll students to live in accord with Catholic teaching. Parents living in open discord with Catholic teaching in areas of faith and morals unfortunately choose by their actions to disqualify their children from enrollment."

Raderstorf said it seems there's a double standard.

"I don't think they interview to see what parents are divorced or what parents are using birth control or other things that are against the teaching of the Catholic Church," she said.

Protesters said they'd like to see the decision reversed in this case. At the very least, they're glad their voices are being heard.

"Perhaps the reaction is a wake up call that we're at a point in history that we can't do discrimination like this without negative repercussions," said Ensign.