Last updated on August 22nd, 2023 at 09:12 am
A scandal has emerged in the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) involving a teacher named Paolo De Buono, who issued anti-Catholic directives to the incoming Archbishop of Toronto, Francis Leo. Despite the controversial nature of these directives, there has been no response or intervention from Archbishop Leo, Director of Education Brendan Browne, or any other supervisory figures within the school board. This silence raises concerns about the influence of progressive secular policies in Catholic education, leaving parents and supporters of Catholic schools in doubt.
In a message to Archbishop Leo, De Buono welcomes him to visit his classroom, which he has named The Rainbow Room. However, De Buono imposes limitations on the Archbishop and any other priest, forbidding them from discussing certain Catholic beliefs related to male-only priesthood, gender identity, and same-sex relationships. He claims that such discussions would be “harmful to his students and violate their human rights”. De Buono asserts that the Ontario Health Education curriculum, which includes teachings on gender and sexual orientation, is taught without any distinctions or qualifications between heterosexual and same-sex relationships in The Rainbow Room.
While De Buono claims to respect the Church and its priests, he places the supposed rights of his students above the teachings and beliefs of Catholicism. De Buono wrongly believes that his students’ sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity are not choices and, therefore, should not be subjected to any teaching or belief that suggests there is anything wrong with them.
The silence from the TCDSB and Archbishop Leo in response to De Buono’s directives has sparked controversy and raised questions about the direction of Catholic education. Supporters of Catholic schools and parents sending their children to these institutions are seeking answers and clarification regarding the school board’s stance on Catholic teachings and whether progressive secular policies are overriding the values and principles of Catholic education.
It is evident that this situation poses a significant challenge to the TCDSB and calls for a response that addresses the concerns of parents, students, and supporters of Catholic education. The outcome will have implications for the future of Catholic schools in Canada and the degree to which their teachings and values are upheld.