Cardinal criticizes Catholic teachers’ union over gay pride parade participation

April 22, 2014

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association is sending a delegation to participate in the WorldPride 2014 Parade in Toronto—prompting criticism from Cardinal Thomas Collins.

“I am always inspired by the thousands of Catholic teachers in classrooms throughout Ontario who know their Catholic faith, and whose faith shapes the loving way in which they care for their students, especially any who are facing personal struggles,” said the Toronto cardinal, as quoted by the Catholic Register.

“OECTA, however, is not the Catholic teachers; it is a union,” he added. “Its competence is limited to collective bargaining, and the services any union provides to its members. When it goes beyond those areas, it can easily go wrong, as it has in the decision of the OECTA delegates to participate in this event. This decision shows that they and the OECTA leadership have an inadequate and mistaken understanding of their faith.”

“The bishops are not happy that we are in the parade,” said James Ryan, the president of the teachers’ union, as quoted by the Catholic Register. “It is not an acceptance or an approval of some of the peripheral groups that might join that parade, such as the nudists or anything like that. We support the Church’s teachings on chastity and we support the Church’s teachings on all issues.”

 

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Further information:

• Catholic teachers union blasted for WorldPride Parade plans (Ottawa Sun)
• Catholic teachers’ union urged to withdraw from Pride parade (Toronto City News)
• OECTA wrong to join Pride Parade (Catholic Register)
• OECTA wrong to join Pride Parade (Catholic Register article on Vietnamese Catholic site)