I was intrigued by Danny Westneat’s column about excused and unexcused absences at Seattle-area schools. (“If you’re playing hooky — for a parade or a protest — do it up right,” Feb. 11.) I have no strong opinions about the parade question (though it is funny to note that my 14-year-old son’s absence for this
year’s parade was marked “excused”). What does surprise me, though, is a local Catholic school marking students’ absences unexcused for leaving school to speak out against unjust immigration raids. Catholic leaders around the world and here in the U.S. have been clear and united in reminding us that treating all humans with dignity and welcoming migrants and refugees are at the heart of Catholic Social Teaching. Indeed, Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, N.J., recently called on Catholics to use their voices and say “No” to the unjust and inhumane immigration raids taking place in our country. If I led a Catholic school, I wouldn’t just excuse student absences for protesting against this injustice, I would join them on the front lines.
Yancy Hughes Dominick, Seattle
