Tonight, trustees at the Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) will hold a special meeting to discuss the motion to fly the Pride flag during the month of June.
At last week’s meeting (April 20), the Board heard from five delegates regarding a motion titled “Supporting our Diverse School Community”. Trustee Brenda Agnew initially presented the motion at an earlier Board meeting on April 6.
The motion required that Director of Education and Secretary of the Board, Pat Daly, direct all HCDSB schools to fly the Pride flag during the month of June. It also called for more events which focus on equity and inclusivity throughout the month of June and on displaying a “Safe Space” poster in every classroom.
The majority of last week’s 2.5-hour virtual meeting consisted of delegate presentations. They represented both sides of the controversial issue. Three were in support of the motion, two were opposed. The agenda package also included some 220 official correspondences from supporters and opponents on the matter.
Anyone following the discussion would understand this is a “hot topic”. The Pride flag means different things to different people. Those in support of the flag believe it is a symbol of acceptance, community, diversity and love. Many supporters believe that raising the flag at Catholic schools in the community is a “step in the right direction”.
Opponents to the idea argue the rainbow Pride flag does not support the Church’s teachings. Nor do they believe it is in line with the Board’s principles which state: “The Board is committed to cultivating the special characteristics of Catholic Education, to teach the Authentic Truths of the Faith, in line with the Magisterium of the Church, and in co-operation with the bishops in the exercise of their teaching office”.
During the meeting, Father Janusz Roginski delivered a presentation on the position why HCDSB should not fly the Pride flag at Catholic schools. He explained that, “the flag does not have just one meaning. It is ambiguous”.
Whether one chooses to accept the flag as a sign of inclusivity, the priest expressed the view that it also represents “other meanings that contradict specifically Catholic teachings on sexuality and Catholic morality on sexuality”.
Two days after his presentation before the Board, LifeSiteNews reported that Fr. Roginski had been asked to leave the Diocese, where he has served since 2006.
Multiple attempts to reach out to Bishop Douglas Crosby of the Diocese of Hamilton for comment have gone unanswered.
HCDSB trustees will reconvene an emergency meeting this evening to resume discussion and presumably vote on the matter.
