Denver archbishop defends decision on lesbians' children

DENVER — The archbishop of Denver is defending a Catholic school’s decision not to allow two children to continue as students because their parents are a lesbian couple.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput said Tuesday it’s a “painful situation” but the decision is in line with church beliefs.

He says Catholic school students’ parents are expected to agree with church beliefs, including those forbidding sex between anyone other than married, heterosexual couples.

Chaput says Sacred Heart of Jesus school in Boulder told the parents that one of the children could complete kindergarten and the other could complete preschool, but neither could continue after that.

Previous reports indicated only one child was involved.

The school’s decision was reported Friday by KUSA-TV in Denver. Neither the parents nor the children have been identified.