By Mauro MacMillan
WATERLOO, Sept 30, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In an attempt to divert attention from a controversial pro-homosexuality resource that the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) has approved, the Board has taken to calling into question the motive and character of the Defend Traditional Marriage and Family (DTMF) group that brought the issue to light earlier this year.
At the heart of the issue is a teacher resource book called “Open Minds” that DTMF claims is misleading regarding issues of homosexuality. Also of concern to DTMF are decisions made by the WCDSB regarding numerous recommended resources and workshops being given to school administrators, many of which contradict Catholic teaching on human sexuality.
Statements made by Board spokespersons were published in today’s main local area newspaper, The Record, that constitute ad hominem attacks on the DTMF and its members. Board spokesperson John Shewchuk called DTMF “an extremist hate group” as well as “a hate group with their own agenda that’s making stuff up and lying.” The article went on to state that “The group has an agenda that goes beyond the book to trying to discredit the school board, he charged.”
In response to the allegations made by the board spokesperson, the DTMF’s spokesperson, Jack Fonseca, told LifeSiteNews that, “Unable to defend his position on this inappropriate teacher resource, the Catholic School Board spokesperson has resorted to character assassination and a drive-by smear campaign against DTMF and the Catholic parents who are concerned about this inappropriate resource.”
The assertions of the WCDSB spokesperson seem to be at odds with the published statements of DTMF. On a related issue regarding a Board approved counselor, a Sept. 24, 2007 press release by DTMF stated that: “we agree with the Board that students who experience same-sex attractions indeed deserve support and counseling. In fact, we believe that in this day and age where sex and sexuality have become so confused, that the Catholic community has an obligation to provide support services to affected students. Where we disagree with the Board is in who should deliver the counseling.” The Board’s family life committee approved of a homosexual-activist counselor who is raising a male child with his homosexual partner.
According to The Record “committee members discussed the book but won’t make their decision until their next meeting on Nov. 1.” The Board vehemently refused to discuss the other matters of concern to DTMF at the meeting.
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Waterloo Catholic School Board Found Supporting Pro-homosexual Groups and Literature
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/jun/07062605.html
Ontario Catholic School Board Approves Referrals to Gay-Activist Therapist, Censors Right to Life Material
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/aug/07080907.html
Catholic School Libraries Stock Gay Promoting Books and Videos Warns Pro-Marriage Group
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/apr/07041005.html