This is the letter I sent to the Principal of Covington Catholic High School, Park Hills, Kentucky, after their students mocked an Elder from an American Indian Tribe in Washington, D.C. Since that time both the school and the Covington Roman Catholic Diocese has issued an apology: “We extend our deepest apologies to Mr Phillips,” the statement read. “This behavior is opposed to the Church’s teachings on the dignity and respect of the human person.”
Dear Principal Rowe,
Catholics (and all Christians) from across the country and life of the church were shocked by recent actions on the part of your students involving the free exercise of speech by a Native American tribal elder. The combined behavior of disrespecting an elder, discounting the religion and values of another culture, and wearing uniform MAGA swag – hats and shirts – and chanting “build that wall” is a disgrace to all of us.
Surely you of all people know that none of this is consistent with Catholic moral teaching and practice. The values of a MAGA rally are not equivalent to Catholic values. None of this is taught in the catechism. It is not the way of Jesus or the great examples of the faith. And Pope Francis would be heart broken by this.
Where did we go wrong? Where is the moral instruction of the parents? Where is the teaching of the Priests and the Religious? Where were the teachers and school officials? Did they witness this? Did they endorse or enable this? Who provided the students with matching MAGA hats and shirts?
In a time in which the credibility of the Church has been stretched to the breaking point this incident has smeared the public witness of the Church and Catholic education one more time.
The rest of the nation and Church is waiting to see what you will do.
Respectfully,
Tim Carson
vitalwholeness 
Thank you Tim,
Your letter certainly asks questions that should be answered by the school and the parents. These students need more than a hand slap.
Sent from my iPad
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