Faith rights lost in Eggen policy
I find it of interest that Juliet Guichon’s Catholic affiliations were included in her reply to the comments of Bishop Fred Henry. For that matter, many non-Catholics, including this writer, recognize Education Minister David Eggen’s updated “diversity policy” as problematic in view of Canada’s commitments to religious freedom and political liberty.
Guichon’s opener, that “the primary concern here is about children — not the Catholic community,” is illustrative. First, of irony, given her apparent concern for inclusivity and diversity in Catholic education. But more, it illustrates how “diversity” and “the best interests of children” are diminished when pressed into use as all-purpose pretexts for advancing avant-garde social trends ahead of the rights of children. Namely, the constitutionally protected rights of children, here Catholic children, to be educated according to the tenets of their faith and the wishes of their parents.
Religious freedom is central to political liberty because it defines a sphere of existence that does not belong to the state. What of a government that pretends to ownership of both? Daniel J. Mol, Edmonton separate, depending upon whether the Protestants or Catholics were in the majority in that jurisdiction.
Over the years the Protestant Schools gradually abandoned their religious roots, while the Catholic Schools have largely remained faithful. Education Minister David Eggen cannot impose his peculiar moral standards on Catholic schools nor abolish them without getting the federal government to amend the Alberta Act of 1905.
Catholic trustees have a moral duty to ensure that all students are taught in an environment supportive of Catholic beliefs and doctrine. In doing so, they are not violating student rights for the simple reason that students are not obligated to attend Catholic schools.
Catholic trustees supportive of Eggen’s agenda should move on to more liberal jurisdictions. It is simply treacherous and dishonest to use their positions to undermine the fundamentals of the Catholic faith. Leif Stolee, Edmonton