By Thaddeus M. Baklinski
BRAMPTON, Ontario, October 10, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Liberal Leader Stephane Dion is scheduled to appear at a rally at Brampton’s St. Edmund Campion Catholic Secondary School this evening between 6:30 and 8 p.m.
Though being billed as “an evening celebrating Canada’s multicultural heritage,” the appropriateness of a Catholic school hosting an openly pro-abortion politician, particularly one so well known as a party leader, is being called into question.
In the US, the Catholic Bishops Conference has issued a statement (https://www.usccb.org/bishops/catholicsinpoliticallife.shtml) titled “Catholics in Political Life,” which gives clear direction on the issue of Catholic institutions providing a platform for pro-abortion politicians.
“The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions,” the statement declares.
A call to St. Edmund Campion high school by LifeSiteNews.com revealed that use of the school for the Liberal rally was approved by the local Catholic school board and not organized by the school itself nor directed towards the school’s students.
Neil MacCarthy, Director of Public Relations & Communications for the Archdiocese of Toronto told LifeSiteNews.com that though the archdiocese has clear guidelines for its Catholic churches in terms of what is appropriate and not appropriate during an election campaign and for parish use in general, it has no discretion over the use of Catholic school facilities.
To express your concern please contact:
Bruce Campbell, Communications & Community Relations Department
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
Phone: 905-890-0708 ext. 24466
email: [email protected]
40 Matheson Boulevard West, Mississauga, ON L5R 1C5
Phone: 905-890-1221
Toll Free: 800-387-9501
Fax: 905-890-7610