Some parents question Muslim prayer at Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills

[rangerrebew]

Some parents question Muslim prayer at Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills
Jonathan Carlson
3:11 PM, Dec 10, 2015
11:04 AM, Dec 11, 2015
 
WXYZ

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (WXYZ) - It may surprise some to learn Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills has a dozen or so Muslim students.

It has been that way, say leaders, for many years.

But questions have recently been raised, primarily by about a dozen or so angry parents, over a prayer room, which allows those Muslim students to pray on a Catholic school's property.

"When the question was 'Is there a place that I can pray?', the answer that evolved was yes," says school president John Birney. "We have this 'sacred space' available for you if you want it," he remembers telling students.

That prayer room is not just for Muslims. Students of other non-Catholic faiths have used it too says Birney.

He and 7 Action News have fielded some of those parental complaints. One emailing to us called the prayer room "unconscionable" - saying her child's paid religious education would be "undermined."

The school says they haven't heard from any students who have had any opinions on this one way or the other, rather its pretty much just those parents raising questions.

"My quick response is, all Catholic schools have as part of their admissions that they don't discriminate based on race, creed, color," says Birney.

Of those parents, "I respect your opinion, I need to talk to experts in the field before we finalize what we choose to do."

He says he has been in touch with the Archdiocese of Detroit and is waiting on more perspective.

"Is this something that compromises our faith and identity, or is it in fact consistent with the respect that we have. We are Catholic in the sense that we share the good news, we are not Catholic in the sense, 'Hey if you're not Catholic don't bother coming here'," Birney adds.

He says those Muslim students must conform to the Catholic curriculum required of all students and they have, he says, they respect the Catholic faith, so current thinking is, the school should respect theirs.

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http://www.wxyz.com/news/some-parents-question-muslim-prayer-at-area-catholic-school

[Fishrrman]

This is NOT what people who choose to send their kids to Catholic schools should expect.

I think those parents have a right to be furious.

muslim students should NOT be permitted in Catholic schools.
Tell them to go somewhere else, thank you very much.

[raml]

Why are Catholic leaders not reading their bibles and living up to the word of God. Muslims are pagans they have what was known in the past as the moon god this is not the Christian or Jewish God and should never be anywhere near a Christian facility. It seems most in this denomination aren't Christians anymore.

[sinkspur]

This is NOT what people who choose to send their kids to Catholic schools should expect.

I think those parents have a right to be furious.

muslim students should NOT be permitted in Catholic schools.
Tell them to go somewhere else, thank you very much.

Catholic schools can admit whomever they want.

[sinkspur]

Why are Catholic leaders not reading their bibles and living up to the word of God. Muslims are pagans they have what was known in the past as the moon god this is not the Christian or Jewish God and should never be anywhere near a Christian facility. It seems most in this denomination aren't Christians anymore.

Well, bless your little heart.