Toronto's Cardinal Collins joins opponents of required 'gay-straight alliances' in schools
May 29, 2012
The Archbishop of Toronto has joined Catholic-school administrators in Ontario in opposing a proposed new law that would require all school principals to allow students to form anti-bullying clubs known as “gay-straight alliances.”
"Why is a piece of provincial legislation being used to micromanage the naming of student clubs?" asked Cardinal Thomas Collins.
The cardinal stressed that Catholic schools are committed to preventing bullying, and ensuring that “all people are treated with love and respect.” But the “gay-straight alliance” model, he said, raises concerns for Catholic educators insofar as it may encourage acceptance of homosexual behavior.
“Because this model is so closely related to a movement with particular views concerning the human person and the issues of life, people who disagree with those views are understandably concerned that the model can serve as a means not only to address bullying, but to promote the views with which they disagree,” the cardinal said. The cardinal said that Catholic schools can work effectively to protect students from bullying by promoting distinctively Catholic moral principles.
“If the point is that there is something unacceptable about those Catholic principles, then I find that troubling,” the cardinal said.
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Further information:
- Thomas Cardinal Collins opposes students calling clubs 'gay-straight alliances' (CP)
- Observations on a recent change in government policy re: proposed anti- bullying legislation (Toronto archdiocese)
- Ontario Catholic schools oppose requirement for gay-straight alliances (CWN, 5/28)
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