Catholicism and Comic relief day

[unfitmother]

I have noticed that RC schools do not seem to get involved in Red nose day at all. I get the impression the church does not approve. Does anyone know why?
I'm guessing it actively promotes a birth control charity.

[mosschops30]

I dont know why, dd's school were told they werent allowed to support it.

IMHO its only 7 hours, we support it at home, and dd knows how I feel about things like that (e.g. load of bollocks)

As her parent its my responsibility to educate her as I see fit which includes my views on birth control (what a great invention) abortion (I am pro-choice) and homosexuality (each to their own I say)
She will make her own decisions as time goes on

[GetOrfMoiLand]

Oh, I don't think it is a blanket ban by RC schools. I drive by a RC senior school every day, loads of kids outside the school gates dressed up, red noses on sale etc.

DD goes to a non-faith affiliated school - they were not allowed to dress up.

Think it must be an individual school decision.

[unfitmother]

All the local schools seem to support it, except for the RC ones. It may be a local decision then?

[macmam]

To the best of my knowledge it is because Red Nose Day contributed to providers of abortion such as Marie Stopes. I don't know if they still do.

[foxytocin]

our local secondary, RC, does a set no. of charity activities per school year and no more. It causes disruption with discipline (routine) and work before, during and after the event.

or Head hates dressing up days. he did allow pink ties once with the normal uniform to support a breast cancer charity not so long ago and that was a big deal.

[annh]

My boys go to a RC school which does not support Red Nose Day but I don't think it is a specific policy. Rather I think it is to do with the fact that it always falls in the middle of Lent when most RC schools are doing lots of charity stuff anyway. Lent costs me an absolute fortune as the school does a whole range of activities throughout Lent and the proceeds are divided between three charities, chosen by the children themselves (I suspect with a bit of adult guidance!) Each year group gets a week to do something at breaktime - healthy snacks, cakes, playground games etc. These typically cost 20p each. There are also whole-school activities like a disco, talent comp, design comp, etc. All the activities cost to enter and combined with the fact that we have also just had book week (2 pounds required for author visit, and the inevitable book fair) I think I would just scream if there were any more demands for money around now. I think most of the parents feel the same way!

Our local RC secondary school also do lots of Lenten activities so I suspect it is more to do with not being able to impinge on the parents any more rather than not supporting Comic Relief.

[unfitmother]

You remember comic relief as a school girl?
I feel old now!

[Tommy]

a friend who was head at a RC Primary had complaints from some members of the community about supporting comic relief due to their work with HIV/AIDS prevention.

He was very cross about it although had to bow to the pressure. Thr children had a fun day anyway because it was near St Patrick's Day

My DSs go to a different Catholic Primary and they had a big thing today for Comic Relief so I guess it depends on the Head

[CarofromWton]

My DDs go to an RC primary school and they support Comic Relief every year. Today they went to school dressed in their pygamas (great fun apparently) and everyone had to donate 50p for the privilege! They also held a cake sale after school with all donations to Comic Relief.

It's also true that other charitable events go on throughout Lent - my DDs are doing a sponsored run next week for another charity.

I'm Catholic but I've never come across any objection to Comic Relief before - this thread is news to me.

[GodzillasBumcheek]

OMG this harks me back to my days at school...where the RC school i attended supported comic relief but I, following the lead of my Very strict Catholic mum did not approve. Yes, it was the promotion of the use of condoms that was the cause.

[scienceteacher]

I think most Catholic schools have specific charities that they support each year, and that is their focus, rather than a larger charity that supports lots of causes.

People are free to support Comic Relief outside of school. They are not campaigned against in catholic schools.

[IzzyWizzyletsgetbusy]

I don't think it's Comic Relief or Red Nose Day itself that's a problem, more that the money goes to a wide range of charities including some which support, e.g. abortion which the Catholic church doesn't want to be seen to be actively supporting. At least, this was the explanation given in DS's last (RC) school newsletter.

Having said that, DS's school went on to have a pyjama day and lots of stuff going on for Red Nose Day. Diocese guidance was that they were free to do this, as long as they made it clear they weren't sanctioning certain specific causes (hence the newsletter). Everyone had great fun and they raised a lot of money.

[cornsilk]

My ds's RC school support red nose day. RC schools raise a lot of money for charity during Lent. Some schools may feel uncomfortable at asking parents to give again.

[abbierhodes]

It's because of the support of abortion charities, not to do with Aids or contraception.

[Nand]

Yes Marie Stokes has received donations from Red Nose day, catholics raise money for many good causes but will not give to promote abortion.

[lillybloom]

Agree with abs and Nand. I work in RC schools and its due to the funding of abortions- nothing to do with AIDS. Many RC nuns, monks, priests etc work for AIDS charities as well as SCIAF etc. Its solely the abortion issue.

[cornsilk678]

old thread alert!

[BarkisIsWilling]

I know of at least two RC schools that marked Red Nose Day, down to encouraging the wearing of red noses (optional).