Catholic School Ditches UK Aids charity

THE London Oratory School will always want to make sure its charitable fundraising and its work … are done with organisations whose philosophy, aims and practices support Christian values… the nominated charity does not meet this criterion, it would be inappropriate for the school to financially support this charity from the proceeds of the concert.

Those are the words of the school’s headmaster David McFadden, when he broke the news that British Aids Charity, the Terrence Higgins Trust, would receive no money from the concert.

A spokesman for THT said they were surprised by the decision because the fund-raising team had spent several months working on the concert.

It’s very disappointing. It’s a shame we won’t benefit but the school has its policies and they have to think about their integrity. It’s very challenging raising money for HIV and Aids.

According to a report in today’s Guardian, the gala concert, which takes place on December 1, was supposed to raise thousands of pounds for World Aids Day, with the money going to Britain’s foremost charity for people infected with HIV.

But the involvement of a choir from one of London’s most sought after Catholic schools raised the hackles of some parents and led to an abrupt U-turn from the headmaster.

A letter sent to parents and seen by the Guardian, explained there were concerns “regarding the distribution of proceeds to an organisation whose aims and practices conflicted with the teachings and viewpoint of the Catholic church”.

The replacement charity would be Surf, which helps survivors of the Rwandan genocide.

The London Oratory School has close ties to the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which recently hosted an event to celebrate the work of a pro-life charity.

One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was outraged by the letter and the “un-Christian” nature of the decision.

We listen to sermons about charity and Christianity but how can the church be so selective about who it helps? What happened to the Good Samaritan? We’re always preaching about tolerance – this is anything but.

She added that while the school itself was “pretty enlightened” there were reactionary elements among some clergy and parents who would be delighted by the news.

The London Oratory Schola is one of the leading liturgical choirs in the country and has angered Catholic clergy by recording music for “anti-church” films such as The Da Vinci Code and The Golden Compass.

According to Schola’s website, it has three patrons: HRH Prince Michael of Kent, the prominent gay actor Simon Callow, who was awarded a CBE in 1999, and James McMillan.

Update – November 8: We have just learned that Simon Callow is considering resigning as patron of the Schola. You can see the Guardian report here.

See our earlier post, Catholics vs Condoms, here.