Saskatoon Bishop backs Catholic schools' stance on 'Rainbow Tent'
Saskatoon’s Roman Catholic diocese is defending the city’s Catholic school administrators in the wake of protests over an internal email that leaked on social media on Thursday.
The message to school principals from Greater Saskatoon Catholic School (GSCS) Superintendent Tom Hickey said to keep students away from a LGBTQ2S+-themed "Rainbow Tent" at the upcoming Nutrien Children's Festival of Saskatchewan. In the email, Hickey said allowing students to visit the tent would not be "supported."
The Greater Saskatoon Catholic School (GSCS) division is facing accusations of bigotry after a screenshot of an email purported to be from the superintendent circulated widely online Thursday.
A spokesperson for the diocese said that although the organization works collaboratively with the school division on the “pastoral care” of students, there was no explicit instruction from the diocese regarding the Rainbow Tent.
Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen told CTV News in a statement that he supports the school division in this effort.
“I support Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, administration, teachers and staff as they navigate difficult moral and social issues — especially as they affect the lives and well-being of children, young people and their families – as they strive to be faithful to the mission and identity of a Catholic school,” Hagemoen said.
The Catholic school division's email was met with criticism online by many who felt it was intolerant. On Monday morning, the GSCS downtown office was hit with an apparent act of vandalism, the front windows splattered with fluorescent paint and butterfly, unicorn and flower stickers. The sidewalk in front of the office had a rainbow and messages like "we all belong" and "it's queer here, too" scrawled with chalk.
On Tuesday, the union representing all teachers in Saskatchewan cautioned against policies and directives that exclude people on the basis of sexuality or gender.
The Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF) cited 2018 data from Statistics Canada that says 30 per cent of those who identify as LGBTQ2S+ are between the ages of 15 and 24-years-old.
“Policies and directives in schools that are not inclusive, or are even discriminatory, directly impact a significant number of students and their families,” STF President Samantha Becotte said in a news release.
“This alienates them and removes their ability to feel safe and accepted for who they are.”
The Nutrien Children’s Festival runs from June 1 to 4 at Kinsmen Park in Saskatoon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.