OECTA and homosexuals.

Toronto -- Before its annual general meeting, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) was prepared to consider a motion put forward by its own Human Rights Committee stating,

"That the Association communicate with the federal government its support for the passing of the legislation changing the definition of marriage to allow for same-sex unions."

LifeSite News reported that several Catholic teachers said they were "horrified" at this measure. One said, "How this resolution supporting same-sex marriage in a supposed Catholic Teachers' Union could even possibly be considered is beyond me. If this motion is passed, will we be expected to teach the homosexual agenda in years to come?" Another teacher pointed out that the resolution contradicted the Association's statement of principles, which states that OECTA is "To promote Catholic Values."

In the event, too much time was taken up with a discussion of union dues for this proposal to come to a vote. But ahead of this resolution, a related motion was passed:

"That the Association recognize the need for providing an inclusive learning and working environment for gay, lesbian, transgendered, and two-spirited students and teachers."

"It is time," the rationale for this proposal said, "that OECTA openly recognize the rights of all people to an inclusive learning and working environment."

Glenn Wheeler, in Now Magazine for March 4, headed his column on this topic "Pushing sin: Catholic teachers defy the Pope and move to endorse same-sex marriage." Just one week before, he pointed out, the Holy Father had declared that gay nuptials degrade marriage and called on authorities to stop approving them.

An article in Catholic Insight for September 2003, Father James McManamy's "Catholic school board 'gay-speak' seminar," described a meeting of teachers and other professionals in Toronto which turned out to be to promote the homosexual agenda. Father Ron Mercier, a Jesuit priest and former Dean of Regis College, claimed that Catholic moral teaching has shifted since the 1975 Vatican document On certain questions concerning sexual ethics and that homosexuality is no longer seen as a "problem."

Ed Remming, a psychology consultant with the Toronto Catholic School Board, implied that he was pleased that the Church has finally matured and seen the wisdom of a new approach to homosexuality. After the meeting, Father McManamy said, he found that there was a lot of support for "desensitizing" sessions like this one.

Comment

In his book on the Catholic school in an Age of Dissent, Father Leonard Kennedy blames much of the dissent on OECTA. This organization and its supporters clearly can be counted on to encourage dissent, not try to eliminate it.