The  Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board Trustees recently approved an Equity Action Plan.  Under the goal "To establish positive learning and work environments whereby all students and staff feel included, respected and able to succeed" is this action - "Fly the Pride Flag for a period of time during the month of June at the Catholic Education Centre and each school site".

The Pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption and the Missions in Owen Sound, Fr. Wojciech Kuzma, objects to this decision.

Fr. Kuzma sent a letter to Gary O’Donnell, the Director of Education, and shared it in the parish bulletin this Sunday along with a statement he wants read to the trustees.

Dear Mr. O’Donnell,
A parishioner has recently brought to my attention that at a board meeting of March 28th my name was mentioned by you in reference to the new equity plan and the flying of the pride flag in front of our schools.

In the way the statement was worded it has led some people to think that I was consulted regarding this initiative, and further, that I am in support of this course of action, specifically, with the flying of the pride flag. If you recall, during our meeting of March 23, when you told me about the plans to fly the pride flag, I voiced my opposition towards this motion. To avoid any further confusion regarding my position, I would like to once again voice my opinion in this matter.

In an effort to clarify my participation in the decision making process about the flying of the pride flag, I request that my statement be read in full at the
next Board Meeting.

Official Statement by Fr. Kuzma regarding flying pride flags outside Catholic Schools:

“I have never been consulted by the Grey-Bruce Catholic School Board representatives regarding the initiative of flying the pride flag in front of our schools, but I was simply informed that this would be happening starting in June of this year. In spite of not being invited to do so, I still chose to express my opposition to this initiative to Mr. O’Donnell (the director of the School Board), in the presence of Ms. Charlene Hoffmann (faith animator for the School Board).

Even if the intention to fly the pride flag is one of promoting inclusivity and welcoming, and not one of undermining the official teaching of the Catholic
Church, there is still a real danger of scandal among Catholics and people of good faith who, in seeing the pride flag outside our Catholic schools, may be led to confusion regarding the Catholic Church’s moral teaching.

The symbol of a pride flag has been used by many to promote ideals that are in direct opposition to the Catholic Church’s teachings, and for this reason I believe that at best it may confuse people about the Church’s position, and at worst lead people away from the Catholic Church and her teaching.

In good conscience I cannot and I do not support this initiative, and I regret that it is being implemented in the Catholic Schools of the Bruce-Grey Deanery.”

Fr. Wojtek Kuzma