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Gay Pride Clubs Erupt in Catholic Schools in Board Embroiled in Homosexuality Controversy

By John-Henry Westen

WATERLOO, November 29, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - An Ontario Catholic school board approached by a family issues group concerned about pro-homosexual materials in school libraries, is now facing the opening of homosexual student clubs in its high schools.

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board was approached early this year by the group Defend Traditional Marriage and Family concerned about a teacher resource book promoting homosexuality as well as some thirty similarly objectionable books, videos and pamphlets available to Catholic students in school libraries and guidance offices. 

The board took half a year to address the issue and would only address the teacher resource book, refusing to address the other pro-gay materials at the same meeting.  The Family Life Committee of the Catholic school board voted 11-5 to retain the book, but the director of Education for the board made a compromise decision.  Roger Lawler decided this week to remove the teacher resource book from individual schools but retain it at a central teacher resource center.

Just prior to that decision being announced, the local paper, The Record, reported on the existence of a gay and lesbian group at one of the board's schools - Resurrection Catholic Secondary in Kitchener.  The paper reports that according to its founder, the "Rez PRIDE" group has the support of the school guidance counselor and chaplain, but school officials would not discuss the matter.

14-year old Resurrection student Jessica Coughlin began the group and is described by the paper as an "out lesbian".

Although local Bishops Anthony Tonnos and Gerard Bergie were unavailable for comment, LifeSiteNews.com spoke with the bishop's representative on the school board Family Life Advisory Committee, Teresa Hartnett.

Hartnett told LifeSiteNews.com that she did not know much about the groups, but did note that there were at least "a couple of (gay) clubs running," at Catholic schools.

Hartnett stressed that "pastoral care of students with same sex orientation is not against our teachings as long as we follow the teachings of the Catholic Church."

She said she would likely follow up on the matter now.  Asked if she was aware of such clubs prior to the newspaper report, Hartnett replied that she was, "aware that there were some students interested in that."  She added again, "Pastorally there's nothing wrong with a group that will support students."

However, identification with a gay and lesbian club can be a negative way to go, according to Courage, a Roman Catholic group which is dedicated to those who struggle with same-sex attraction.  Courage has been endorsed by the Pontifical Council for the Family and is approved by the Vatican.

"Having young people who are struggling with gender issues join a "gay-lesbianbisexual- transgender" group will only encourage a false and limiting type of selflabeling," said Courage in a communication to Defend Traditional Marriage and Family (DTMF).

"We believe it is most important to encourage young persons to primarily identify themselves as men and women made in the image of God. Even while acknowledging that their struggles with homosexual feelings or their experiences of gender confusion are real, they should not be encouraged to base their core identity on these difficulties," added Courage.  "Christian anthropology teaches that we are created male and female - it does not teach that we are created gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. Subjective feelings, thoughts and struggles, while real, do not translate into "identity". Also, these particular labels are often associated with political causes which are incompatible with Catholic moral teaching."

The principal of Resurrection high school refused comment directing LifeSiteNews.com to the Superintendant for the board.  However, Catholic School Board officials did not return calls for comment from LifeSiteNews.com.

The Record reports that the 14-year old student who started the gay pride club was inspired to do so by reading the pro-homosexuality teen novel Rainbow Boys.  Notably, Rainbow Boys was one of the books DTMF had warned was inappropriate in the Catholic school libraries.  That warning has thus far gone unheeded.  In fact, a spokesman for the board called DTMF "an extremist hate group" after it made known its concerns.

To see DTMF's presentation to the board on the teacher resource book: http://www.defendmarriagekw.org/FamilyLifePresentation.html

To respectfully voice opinions:

Resurrection Catholic Secondary Principal:
Dan Witt
455 University Avenue West,
Kitchener, Ontario, N2N 3B9
Phone: 519-741-1990,
Fax: 519-741-5096
email: dan.witt@wcdsb.ca

Roger Lawler Director of Education for the Catholic school board
Tel: 519-578-3660
Email: Roger.Lawler@wcdsb.ca

His Excellence Bishop Anthony Tonnos
700 King St. W.
Hamilton, ON L8P 1C7
Phone: (905) 528-7988
Fax: (905) 528-1088
Email: mglover@hamiltondiocese.com

Auxiliary Bishop Gerard Bergie
Phone: (905) 528-7988
Fax: (905) 528-1088
Email: gbergie@hamiltondiocese.com

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