'Hell' Boy Barred from Catholic School

CANBERRA, Australia – A row is erupting at a Victorian Catholic school in Australia after a priest refused to enroll a child whose surname is Hell.

Alex Hell, the father of 5-year-old Max Hell, told media that his son was refused entry at the St. Peter the Apostle School in the southern city of Melbourne because his surname could cause problems for the student.

But the name is "our heritage," Hell told The Age after he rejected an offer to enroll his son on the condition that Max use his mother's maiden name, Wembridge. Hell, a 45-year-old Roman Catholic father of three, said he had Austrian heritage and that the name means "bright."

In a statement released later in the day, Stephen Elder, director of Catholic Education, said the child was welcome in the school and would work with the family to ensure the best interest of the child was achieved.

"The issue of a change of surname of the child was an initiative of the parents which they believed would assist the child in the transition of schools," said Elder, whose organization oversees Catholic schools in Melbourne.

"After discussions between the parish priest and principal, St. Peter the Apostle School has made an offer of enrollment to the student. The school is working with the family in the best interests of the child."