School Confiscated Rosary Beads: Cites Gang Activity

Manuel Vigil wore his rosary around his neck during the summer to help him cope with the death of his uncle, but when he tried to wear them at Thompson Valley High School in Loveland Colorado, school officials confiscated them twice.

Thompson Valley Principal Mark Johnson said that Vigil's rosary "wasn't consistent with what would normally be a rosary, and because of that we felt like it could be gang-related."

Apparently, Vigil's rosary had 13 beads in a row instead of the traditional 10 beads and the number 13 is symbolic of gang membership. Timescall.com reports that local school officials are denying that rosary beads are prohibited but according to "Loveland Police Sgt. David Murphy, who leads the school resource officers in the Thompson School District, Vigil's rosary had a red-flagging 13 beads in a row instead of a traditional rosary with 10 beads. The number 13 is sometimes associated with the Sureños gang." Rev. Sam Morehead of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Loveland said: "It's actually quite distressing for me personally to hear that something that represents one's Catholic faith is being seemingly persecuted in the school setting when it is certainly not a symbol of gang membership." RELATED STORIES 33 Million Americans Believe They Are Registered To Vote But Are Not Registered To Vote! Registration Deadlines In Most States Will Pass Soon. Use This Free Tool To Check Your Status.