Puzzling Comments by Archdiocesan Spokeswoman Lack Clear Moral Direction
OSHAWA, ON, March 20, 2002 (LSN.ca) - The media in Canada has created a firestorm over an Oshawa Catholic high school's denial of a 17-year-old student's request to have his 21-year-old homosexual "boyfriend" as his prom date, which is in clear violation of Catholic teaching. The story was covered by most Canadian media outlets including the country's largest circulation Toronto Star, the Sun chain of papers and one of the national papers, the Globe and Mail.
Michael Powers, principal of Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School, told student Marc Hall that allowing a homosexual date for the prom would contravene Church teaching and school policy. The Durham Region Catholic School Board upheld the decision. Paul Prulla, the board superintendent said, "By allowing (Hall) to bring (a male date) to the prom we would be condoning a lifestyle that is incongruent with the teachings we are expected to uphold."
While homosexual activist groups condemned the school for discrimination, the Catholic Civil Rights League (CCRL) commended the school's actions. However, comments by the spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Toronto seemed noncommittal.
Suzanne Scorsone, spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Toronto was quoted in the media as saying: "Essentially the Catholic Church teaches that for a romantic sexual relationship to be acted out, it belongs in a marriage and the only recognized marriage is between a man and a woman. How this is interpreted in an educational environment is up to the school board to decide. It is up to school officials to decide if attendance at a prom amounts to courting behaviour of a sexual nature."
In comments to LifeSite, CCRL President Dr. Thomas Langan, said, "The CCRL congratulates the Durham Catholic school board for being what it is supposed to be, an upholder of basic morality." Dr. Langan noted that "The great monotheistic religions have always opposed sexual relations outside of the bond of marriage which supplies stability for children conceived from sexual relations within the marriage relationship. It is crystal clear that the Catholic Church has no reason to deviate from this clear understanding of the primary purpose of the sexual act. Consequently, genuinely Catholic institutions cannot condone acts which contradict this ancient, widely understood moral principle."
Commenting on the fact that various students at the school were supporting Hall's campaign to have a homosexual date at the prom, Dr. Langan said, "We simply wish that more of the students educated in the Catholic school system understood the truly loving and caring teachings that the Church offers individuals with homosexual inclinations."
Mr. Michael Powers, Principal
Monsignor John Pereyma C.S.S.
Dear Principal Powers
I am writing with respect to your decision to deny Marc Hall the right to bring his (male) partner to the school's Spring Prom.
As a union we defend our members' rights in the workplace, and in the community. We have worked hard over the past number of years to ensure that the rights of our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members are protected, and that their families are recognized when it comes to benefits and, more broadly, to their overall participation in our union and in our communities. As I'm sure you can appreciate, our commitment to ensuring the human rights of all of our members has not been without controversy. However, true leadership means that we make unpopular decisions from time to time, and build from there.
We have pushed employers, legislators and courts in our demand for equality. But we have also pushed ourselves. We could not have succeeded as we have, had it not been for the courage of a few individuals within our union who demanded that we examine our own prejudices and assumptions. Today we spend a great deal of time in our educational programs working to dispel myths and stereotypes about gays and lesbians, and challenging our members to understand these issues as fundamental rights and freedoms. We call upon you as an educator to do the same.
Marc Hall is an incredibly courageous young man. His allies and friends are also courageous. When this issue first came to light we were contacted by Marc's friends, who saw the CAW as a progressive force for social change. We are honoured and proud to work alongside them as they push for recognition and rights for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people.
As you are no doubt aware, the school board can drag this issue out through the Human Rights Commission. It may take two or ten years and a lot of wasted resources. Rest assured, in that time society will continue to move forward, and the Catholic school board will lose relevancy. Worse than that, you will have missed the opportunity to embrace your students and your community, in all of its diversity.
I would ask you to make the right decision.
Yours truly,
(signed)
BASIL 'BUZZ' HARGROVE
President