Showdown: 4,000 families threaten to leave Toronto Catholic schools over gay equity policy

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The Coptic Orthodox Churches in Toronto are threatening to withdraw 4,000 families from the Toronto Catholic District School Board if it does not amend its controversial equity policy to protect Catholic teaching in the schools. According to one expert in Ontario education, if the threat were carried out, the board could lose upwards of $40,000,000 in annual public funding, and over 150 teachers.

If the board implements its policy, wrote Fr. Jeremiah Attaalla on June 22nd, “we will not hesitate to withdraw our children at once from attending any Catholic school within Toronto or [the Greater Toronto Area].”

The equity policy, passed earlier this year as part of the Ontario government’s sweeping equity and inclusive education strategy, has sparked an unprecedented mobilization of parents who fear that it will give homosexual activists a foothold in order to further subvert already weak Catholic sexual teaching in the schools.

In August the board will be considering a set of amendments to the policy promoted by trustee John Del Grande and Angela Kennedy to ensure that equity and inclusion are interpreted consistently with Catholic teaching.

Fr. Attaalla wrote in his letter, which was addressed to Director of Education Ann Perron, that they will withdraw their children “if the requested amendments are not implemented.” He said the amendments are “faithful to the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.”

lifesitenews.com/news/showdown-4000-families-threaten-to-leave-toronto-catholic-schools-over-gay
 
Finally someone is courageous enough to do something instead of just talk…
 
Wow, that’s a strong statement. I really hope the Catholic institutions in the area will resume making a strong stand for traditional values!
 
The only disappointing thing about this is that it’s an Eastern Orthodox Priest that is making this announcement - where are the Roman, Latin Rite, Catholic Priests and Bishops, and why are they not offering a similar ultimatum?
 
JaMc said:
The only disappointing thing about this is that it’s an Eastern Orthodox Priest that is making this announcement - where are the Roman, Latin Rite, Catholic Priests and Bishops, and why are they not offering a similar ultimatum?
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Excellent question!
 
Does anyone know where to find the full text of the equity policy?
 
The dilemma facing the Toronto Catholic School Board is choosing between going against Catholic teaching re homosexuality and contravening the human rights of homosexual students by not permitting GSA clubs (Gay, Straight Alliances) in all high schools that are publicly funded. The Ontario government has mandated that all high schools establish GSA’s, intended not to promote homosexuality, rather they are meant to foster tolerance and understanding of all students regardless of sexual orientation. What makes the issue very touchy for the Catholic board is the fact that it risks losing public funding if they do not comply with the law. Without public funding it is doubtful that the Catholic school system in Ontario could continue in its present form meaning that to continue they would have to become privatized and therefore out of the reach of most families. By the way, Catholicism is the only religious school system currently supported by public money in Ontario even though over 70% of the public are in favor of having one secular school system.
 
Rosepierre said:
The Ontario government has mandated that all high schools establish GSA’s, intended not to promote homosexuality, rather they are meant to foster tolerance and understanding of all students regardless of sexual orientation.
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Can someone explain to me what is wrong with schools promoting tolerance? Arn’t we all called to love? Shouldn’t we pray and wish for more understanding instead of fighting something people cannot control? I believe that some people are naturally born gay. If that is the case wich no one really knows for sure, shouldn’t we give people the benefit of the doubt and not focus so much on how uncomfortable it makes us feel, and learn to understand them and tolerate their lifestyle choice? I am Catholic, and from the impression I get of what I read is that we " Love homosexuals," yet we work so hard at trying to change their lifesytle. Until it is scientifically proven that people “choose” to be gay, shouldn’t we teach our children tolerance and more importantly how to love homosexuals like we love others? The way I see it, if my 3 year old daughter we’re to come to me as women one day and tell me she’s gay, would I throw the bible in her face or would I believe that she is being truthful, and trust that I raised her to have a deep relationship with God? I would love her just the same and be there for her in her life because she already knows what I beleive, but the best thing I could do for her is love her not preach to her and make her live up to my own expections. Isn’t that the way we should be with the world around us? I do not mean to disrespect anyones beliefs, I just feel that its time that we stop fighting something we do not know is a personal choice or if it is part of someone from birth.

“Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.” T. H. Thompson & John Watson
 
Cristal said:
Can someone explain to me what is wrong with schools promoting tolerance? Arn’t we all called to love? Shouldn’t we pray and wish for more understanding instead of fighting something people cannot control?
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The problem is, no one should be bullying anyone. The schools and parents should take an active role in stamping out any bullying. The problem with forcing Catholic schools to have gay clubs and anti-gay-bullying clubs is that they expose Catholic students to the gay lifestyle, which desensitizes them to what the Church calls ‘a life of sin’. Yes, the Church recognizes gay orientation, but just like with heterosexual couples, forbids premarital sex. The Church not only forbids homosexual relations, but forbids heterosexual premarital/extramarital relations, and forbids the use of ABCs even within a marriage. So having a club for gay students on the surface looks like a support group, but really, you’re desensitizing other students that parents want to grow up well catechized.

I have been really desensitized to the gay thang. But if I were a parent, and their school has these gay clubs, I’d pull them out and homeschool. To me, it’s just like having a club for those who partake in premarital sex, or a ‘kids on ABCs’ support group.

I can understand it and accept it, even agree with it, in a secular institution, but not a private institution, and not when it goes against the teachings of the base institution, in this case the Catholic Church’s teachings
Cristal said:
I believe that some people are naturally born gay.
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It has nothing to do with their orientation. It has to do with their lifestyle. Catholic schools (or Jewish or Muslim, etc) should not be forced to have clubs that reinforce something that is forbidden, such as a pregnant girls club…
 
I can understand it and accept it, even agree with it, in a secular institution, but not a private institution, and not when it goes against the teachings of the base institution, in this case the Catholic Church’s teachings
 
_Abyssinia said:
The Coptic Orthodox Churches in Toronto are threatening to withdraw 4,000 families from the Toronto Catholic District School Board if it does not amend its controversial equity policy to protect Catholic teaching in the schools. According to one expert in Ontario education, if the threat were carried out, the board could lose upwards of $40,000,000 in annual public funding, and over 150 teachers.

If the board implements its policy, wrote Fr. Jeremiah Attaalla on June 22nd, “we will not hesitate to withdraw our children at once from attending any Catholic school within Toronto or [the Greater Toronto Area].”

The equity policy, passed earlier this year as part of the Ontario government’s sweeping equity and inclusive education strategy, has sparked an unprecedented mobilization of parents who fear that it will give homosexual activists a foothold in order to further subvert already weak Catholic sexual teaching in the schools.

In August the board will be considering a set of amendments to the policy promoted by trustee John Del Grande and Angela Kennedy to ensure that equity and inclusion are interpreted consistently with Catholic teaching.

Fr. Attaalla wrote in his letter, which was addressed to Director of Education Ann Perron, that they will withdraw their children “if the requested amendments are not implemented.” He said the amendments are “faithful to the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.”

lifesitenews.com/news/showdown-4000-families-threaten-to-leave-toronto-catholic-schools-over-gay
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👍
 
Perhaps it doesn’t warrant saying anything yet from the higher echelon in the Church but; I’m surprised His Grace, Archbishop Thomas Collins of the Archdiocese of Toronto has made a statement yet.

Even; His Eminence Aloysius Cardinal Ambrozic Archbishop Emeritus of Toronto might have gave voiced opinions concerning this story.

At any rate I agree with most everybody else 👍
 
I can understand it and accept it, even agree with it, in a secular institution, but not a private institution, and not when it goes against the teachings of the base institution, in this case the Catholic Church’s teachings
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But the point you are missing with respect to this story is that the Toronto District Catholic School Board is not a private institution. It is fully funded by public money and therefore is obliged to follow the rules imposed by the Ministry of Education. The same does not apply to all other faith based schools because they are private institutions.
 
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