Dupage Policy Journal

A group of parents at Benet Academy is seeking to keep the school a Catholic institution.

"In light of the news that Benet Academy will become an independent Catholic school with no religious overseer, we kindly ask you to read and sign our petition to Keep Benet Academy a Catholic institution and to follow Catholic doctrine, not in name only," a representative from Concerned Parents of Benet Academy told DuPage Policy Journal.

Concerned Parents of Benet Academy has put together a petition and is seeking signatures from community members hoping to keep the academy Catholic.

"As parents, we send our children to a Catholic high school for a rigorous Christ-centered college preparatory education without the bias and pressure to bow to the latest social and secular whims," according to the petition.

"The school must be able to wholeheartedly accept its Catholic foundation and face head on these pressures and abide by the teachings of the Catholic Church.

"As such, we are presenting a petition to the Executive Board of Directors, Stephen Marth, Diocese of Joliet, and the American Cassinese Congregation of Benedictines that our collective voice can be heard. We aim to ensure Benet Academy upholds the fullness of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

"- We request the Administration, Staff, and Board of Directors vow to adhere to an Oath of Fidelity to the Catholic Church.

"- We believe there has been a lack of allegiance by some of the Administration, Staff, and Board of Directors to the Benet Governance Documents and Code of Conduct. 

"This has forced Benet to develop ad-hoc reactions to the myriad of issues that have arisen in the public sphere in recent years. Without proper adherence to the Governance Documents and Code of Conduct, Benet will continue to have no foundational defense to the very issues aimed at undermining the doctrine of the faith we hold so dearly and place at the cornerstone of Benet's religious heritage and educational charter.

"In the current transition there is a unique opportunity to make Benet a stronger, more faith-filled community and reaffirm it as an unapologetically Catholic school.

"By signing this petition, you are affirming your support of the above statement," Concerned Parents of Benet Academy said in the petition.  

The school shed its affiliation with the Bendictine monks after it flip-flopped on allowing a lesbian coach to join the school’s athletics program.

A letter recognizing the change in the school's status was co-signed by Chancellor Austin G. Murphy and Board Chairman Dennis M. Flynn.

Benet graduate Dan Proft, co-host of the Morning Answer on AM 560, slammed the school for the choice.

Earlier this year, a GoFundMe campaign aimed a LGBTQ-inclusive message at the school community.

Those interested can sign Concerned Parents of Benet Academy's petition here.