Ontarian parents' group urges Catholic schools to resist 'gay-straight' policy
July 06, 2012
A Catholic parents’ group in Ontario is urging administrators of Catholic schools to resist a new government policy that requires administrators to approve the formation of “gay-straight alliance” organizations.
Parents as First Educators (PFE) said that Ontario’s new regulation, enacted in June over the objections of Catholic school officials, was “trying to force Catholics schools to host clubs which violate the civil and religious rights of Ontario taxpayers.” Teresa Pierre, the director of PFE, said that “teachings on church and family that are already under general erosion from today’s culture would be further questioned and attacked with these clubs.”
Pierre stressed that her group does not object to the anti-bullying initiative that formed the basis for the new regulation, but rejects the specific demand for “gay-straight” alliances. She explained that the term “creates a certain set of expectations,” which are at odds with the purposes of Catholic education. PFE suggested that Catholic schools should go forward with plans for “respecting differences” clubs, which would work against bullying without introducing an ideology alien to Christian moral thought.
In June the Catholic bishops of Ontario, who had argued against the new policy, said that Catholic schools would comply despite “serious concerns” about the gay-straight alliances.
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Further information:
- Catholic parents group wants to defy Ontario's Gay-Straight Alliances law (Toronto Sun)
- Ontario Catholic schools will obey rule requiring gay-straight alliances (CWN, 6/7)
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Posted by: FredC -
Jul. 08, 2012 1:47 PM ET USA
The gay-straight alliance might do good work trying to convert the gays to being straight. Why not include Catholic teaching in the meetings?
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Posted by: Justin8110 -
Jul. 07, 2012 8:35 PM ET USA
Catholic schools should promote Catholicism and that is it. There should be no room in Catholic schools for any group whatsover that "dissents" in any way from the Catholic Faith be they pro protestant, pro gay, pro hindu, pro secularist, pro choice, etc. The Catholic Church is not a pluralist democracy and Catholic schools shouldn't be either.
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Posted by: ltoscan2645 -
Jul. 06, 2012 5:08 PM ET USA
as a resident of this province..i can truly say i weep for the our so called Catholic eductaion system, this legislation was brought in after the "Catholic" teachers association gave its unqualified support in spite of the Bishops' stance..I have contacted their office twice and emailed the president twice, copying all the bishops of the province..i have not had a response from anyone..i am left to wonder what next..God help us
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Posted by: rpp -
Jul. 06, 2012 3:51 PM ET USA
Resistance is important. The whole point of the "gay rights" movement is not about "equal treatment", it is about encouraging sex that will never result in birth, it is a form of social contraception promoted heavily, if quietly, by population control advocates. It is not about homosexuality, it is about population control.
