Wow! Seriously?
A Catholic school’s principal has apologized for using a photo of Ellen DeGeneres for their school dance fliers, and the reason why they’re pulling it is hard to believe!
Nancy Matteo sent out an email to parents of the children who go to St. Andrew Elementary School in Newtown, Pennsylvania, and blamed herself for the “completely wrong” thing she did.
She basically said that she should have never used Ellen’s image because she:
“… lives her life outside the teachings of the Catholic Church.”
Although she never mentions Ellen’s sexual orientation, it’s pretty clear that’s what she means.
The principal went on to say that she was “obviously NOT thinking,” and offers up her excuse as “perhaps I was distracted by the Oscar.”
GROAN. She also wrote in the email:
“A role model, as defined by Webster’s Dictionary, is a person who is unusually effective or inspiring in some social role, job, position, etc. This does not describe her at all. We work so hard to be good role models and then I go and do something stupid!”
We have to absolutely disagree, and defend Ellen since the star is a fantastic role model for everyone!
And the worst part of the e-mail was the principal’s demands that all students return the original fliers for THIS reason! She said:
“I need every single invitation returned and I will personally destroy them.”
A spokesperson for The Archdiocese of Philadelphia applauded this principal’s recall, and said:
“It is expected that any promotional materials developed by these schools would feature images and themes that correspond with their core mission and identity. That approach is logical and our school families have a right to expect it.”
Hopefully the tide is a changing in Pennsylvania especially since THIS just happened.
But principals and schools like this are holding us ALL back from our full happiness potential!
[Image via Philly.com.]