27 Comments

• SingleDonald | Apr 27, 2012, 11:14 PM EDT

  My heart goes out to this girl! Yet, I missed my own Junior Prom, as I, at 16, was not ready to approach a girl about a date. Nobody in my public high school, on Long Island, was alowed to go "stag"; it was couples only. There should be an exception, however, when your date cancels out on you.

• EamonnDublin | Apr 27, 2012, 03:55 AM EDT

  "KatieMurphy"! Yes, that's correct - Catholic CHARITIES. There are lots of them around the world, and they do great work. Surely to goodness you have heard of them and what they do? Or does blind hatred prevent you from seeing the truth? Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• KatieMurphy | Apr 26, 2012, 09:14 PM EDT

  BTW recently I read that last year Catholic charities received 650 million from our national govt.............Catholic CHARITIES?????????????????????

• pilib04 | Apr 26, 2012, 08:03 PM EDT

  This news story has gone viral. Local news stations covering Archbishop John Carroll HS nationwide. Real smart move by the neanderthals who operate this school. A real insult to John Carroll.

• pilib04 | Apr 26, 2012, 07:31 PM EDT

  This is why most schools allow singles at prom. Archbishop Carroll High School is operating in the dark ages. I just cannot understand why these schools are so mean.

• ancavker | Apr 26, 2012, 03:37 PM EDT

  Red Branch: She is Irish, Irish-American. The best of both worlds.

• RedBranch | Apr 26, 2012, 03:20 PM EDT

  God she looks Irish...

• hermitTalker | Apr 26, 2012, 11:06 AM EDT

  I wish to concur with the comment that so many people on this IRELAND- related site cannot avoid dragging in the sex angle and undermine the Church. I was told years ago that if a Baptist preacher talks about the same subject a lot, that subject is his moral Achilles heel. I have seen it play out in life with so many, homosexuals who are homophobic and secret drinkers who lie about their problem. The person who has it together is never rude, judgmental about others' conduct. She/he never condemns the sinner while not appreciating the weakness. Jesus was the same, He blasted the self-righteous and had kind words for the well known publicly shunned people. Love the sinner, hate the sin and use a scalpel where needed, not a butcher knife.

• EamonnDublin | Apr 26, 2012, 09:38 AM EDT

  Is it not strange how some posters can take an item like this one and, instead of simply discussing the topic, always, always, always turn it into a nasty, virulent, general attack on the Catholic church. It appears to me that if some of the posters were on a flight from LA to New York and it was late, if there was a priest on board they would blame the Catholic church for the late arrival and from there launch into a vicious rant about the church in general. I await their comments, accusing me of racism, homophobia, Islamophobia, sexism, etc.!! Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• IrelandNorth | Apr 26, 2012, 06:47 AM EDT

  Archbishop John Carroll should have no say in this, unless he has a date too. He could drop by the local convent on his way to the prom, and pick the prettiest Sister of Mercy. (She'd want to be merciful to go with him.) Clerical crossdressing oedipalised mammies boys shouldn't dic[k]tate social conventions. If Amanda is lesbian(?), she could ask Christine Quinn for a date. Or better still, if she's hetero, IC could fix her up with a date with petulant blogger and Ulster Presbyterian bachelor accountant, STALAN07. That way, having emigrated to England from Northern Ireland's buoyant economy(?) to find work there, he could get a GREEN card, and enjoy a Catholic High School Prom.

• mreinhar2001 | Apr 26, 2012, 01:50 AM EDT

  I think Cathy Hayes may have either made a mistake in the second paragraph or did not write what she meant to clearly. I can tell you for a fact that the Roman Catholic Church does not have a rule that says one cannot go to one's high school prom as a solo. This is probably a school rule and possibly something from the local diocese.

• DrSheilahere | Apr 25, 2012, 06:16 PM EDT

  This is where the Church loses me.

• docmikey | Apr 25, 2012, 05:15 PM EDT

  My granddaughter went to the prom with three girlfriends. All wore prom dresses and all had a good time. They go to "public" high school, so the Catholic school "rule" didn't apply.

• billie061 | Apr 25, 2012, 04:39 PM EDT

  They say the prom is a special event ? so why ruin one of Amandas first special events. Maybe if her friends and classmates backed her up with a threat to boycott the prom, then maybe the school might re-consider. Larry777 you are disgusting.

• Bythebay | Apr 25, 2012, 03:48 PM EDT

  millstreet, your idea she wants to go on her own because some guy changed his mind is archaic.

• millstreet | Apr 25, 2012, 02:24 PM EDT

  She should be allowed to go. Im sure there are others who would like to go without a date....not a necessary "thing" She is being punished for some guy who changed his mind....he should have to help with the expenses she has put out....The Catholic school/church needs to change it's ideas

• Bythebay | Apr 25, 2012, 01:22 PM EDT

  Nicomax, they never offer to pay taxes but certainly accept all US Government money that comes their way. When stupid rules like this cut attendance, they'll be moaning how no one wants to support Catholic education.

• Bythebay | Apr 25, 2012, 01:20 PM EDT

  Springfield9, quite a not surprising sexist comment!

• Nicomax | Apr 25, 2012, 01:00 PM EDT

  The Catholic Church, not unlike Rotary, Kiwanis, or even the Augusta National golf club, are private organizations, which it appears can set any rules they choose. You don't have to join, or go to their schools, and as long as no taxpayer dollars are funding their activities, we can only wince at their rules. And by no tax dollars, I also mean they should not be exempt from local, state and federal taxes.

• Springfield9 | Apr 25, 2012, 12:54 PM EDT

  I'm sure some chivalrous young stag will rescue her. I'd have a much more sarcastic question to ask the Archdicese about who's dating who.

• Bythebay | Apr 25, 2012, 12:22 PM EDT

  There is no logical reason whatsoever she cannot attend by herself. She should not be forced to be accompanied by anyone if she doesn't want to be.

• PhlutiePhan | Apr 25, 2012, 12:14 PM EDT

  One of the comments has the answer. She should go with a relative. The jerk who stood her up should not be responsible for her not having a good time. Proms are a "watershead" event for young women. There should be able to be a compromise.

• Ladydonahue | Apr 25, 2012, 11:20 AM EDT

  The Catholic Church should focus on all the clergy that like playing with little boys, and leave growing up to the teachers and parents. Let Amanda go to the prom.

• hermitTalker | Apr 25, 2012, 10:49 AM EDT

  LET her in, was not her fault, give the jerk an F and send him to a public school where chances are he will not be ready for the Big World.

• Bythebay | Apr 25, 2012, 10:44 AM EDT

  Typical Catholic Church thinking, rigid and inflexible.

• BrianO | Apr 25, 2012, 10:23 AM EDT

  Please,lets cut the drama, go with a friend or relative.

• Larry777 | Apr 25, 2012, 10:18 AM EDT

  Shalom, She wants to go because she thinks the fairy-queen might turn into a BORN AGAIN VIRGIN! Wasn't that bloke a lucky man. He weighed her up & saw his future with a dragon!