Canada: Reconciliation between diocese, gay altar server as bishop preaches tolerance
June 07, 2010
Less than a month after a mediation session at the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal resulted in a confidential settlement, Bishop Nicola de Angelis of Peterborough traveled to a Cobourg parish to preach that “nobody has the right to humiliate or slander their brother and sister.”
“Great in society is the one who is capable to respect the dignity of each person regardless of our differences in language,” he said. “Regardless of the color of our skin … regardless of our sex or sexual orientation.”
In 2009, altar server James Corcoran had been removed from his position as altar server at the bishop’s direction after 12 parishioners wrote letters complaining of his appointment. Mr. Corcoran says he is a celibate homosexual man who has lived with a same-sex partner for 20 years. Following his removal, Mr. Corcoran filed a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, alleging illegal discrimination.
Mr. Corcoran was present at the bishop's Mass, as were the 12 parishioners.
In September 2009, Bishop de Angelis had strongly criticized the tribunal for considering the case. “I fail to understand how secular powers and government agencies should think they are in a position to tell the Church that she is wrong in her internal rules and regulations, even though these have directed and shaped the life of the church during the last 2,000 years. However, this is what we face today,” he wrote. “If the Human Rights Tribunal should choose to interfere with the Church’s governance, this will be most shocking. The tribunal has no authority to place itself as an arbiter of canonical precepts.”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Church reconciles with gay altar server (Toronto Star)
- Canada human rights tribunal: diocese, gay altar server sign confidentiality agreement (CWN, 5/12/10)
- Canadian bishop blasts human rights tribunal for considering gay altar server’s complaint (CWN, 9/11/09)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: Ken -
Jun. 08, 2010 4:30 AM ET USA
This makes me ill. Another politically correct Bishop. God help us.
-
Posted by: -
Jun. 07, 2010 7:43 PM ET USA
Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't bishop De Angelis's recent remarks sound an awful lot like he capitulated to the "gay rights" agenda (i.e. "dignity towards...sexual orientation"); since when is sexual orientation part of what defines a human person ?
-
Posted by: -
Jun. 07, 2010 11:29 AM ET USA
So much for separation of Church and State.
