Although the church regards homosexual acts as sinful and the pope has condemned marriage and adoption by same-sex couples, Father Martin Benzoni, who oversees the school, has rejected the group's demands.

Benzoni argued that the boys – both kindergarteners adopted by a pair of Costa Mesa men – had been baptized in the faith and deserved a Catholic education.

"I firmly believe that this policy is in line with the teaching of the Catholic Church," said Benzoni.

Some upset parents now say they plan to ask the Vatican for help, while others threaten to withdraw their children from the school.

Meanwhile, other conservative and liberal Catholic leaders backed the school, saying that regardless of the church's views on homosexuality and same-sex unions, it would be wrong to punish the children.

Father Gerald M. Horan, superintendent of schools run by the Diocese of Orange, opined that if the school barred gay parents from enrolling their children, they would also have to ban children of parents who violate other church teachings – including those who are divorced, use birth control or weren't married in the church.

Some of the parents at St. John the Baptist said they won't give up the fight.

"We're taking a stand for the faith," said parent Ken Stashik. "This is much larger than what's going on in a small Catholic school in a small town."

Editor's note: