AURORA, Ontario (LifeSiteNews) — Parents and other concerned citizens cheered for a former York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) student on Tuesday after he gave an impassioned speech at a board meeting to promote the teachings of the Catholic Church and oppose pro-LGBT flags being flown in the schools during this June’s “Pride Month”.
In the video, 20-year-old Myles Vosylius, a former student at Cardinal Carter Catholic High School in Aurora, Ontario, recounted the conversion journey he experienced during his time there and explained how this relates to the current crisis of gender ideology pervading the school system.
Vosylius explained that a few years before entering high school, his parents went through a divorce, ripping a “hole” into his life and forcing him to “mature and grow up quickly.”
However, Vosylius recalled that in his “typical high school life, sin was rampant,” and it wasn’t until he underwent a “radical conversion” while adoring the Blessed Sacrament that he began to heal.
“I began to shout out ‘I love you, Jesus,’ and when I did I was overcome with a Divine Presence that touched the depths of my soul. I had never encountered anything like this before. This was Jesus Christ, truly risen from the dead, before me in the Holy Eucharist,” the young man told the board.
“This hole within me was experiencing divine therapy. This conversion led me on a path of truth and belief in Jesus Christ, the teachings of His Church, and healing of my own sinfulness,” Vosylius said.
“My point is this: I am not the only one,” he continued. “Many students suffer greatly from their own wounds within, whether that’s divorce, separation, addiction, mental or physical illness, or confusion in personal identity like gender and sex.”
“A pride flag, sticker, or any political and sexual ideological symbol cannot heal and bring hope into the lives of the YCDSB students. It will only arouse greater confusion, pain, and darkness,” Vosylius explained, provoking applause and cheers of support.
“LGBT stickers, pride flags, and other similar symbols do not accurately represent the love God has for these individuals that identify within the LGBT communities,” he continued, as well-known Ontario LGBT teacher-activist Paolo De Buono waved a gay “pride” flag in the background in protest of the young man’s remarks.
Vosylius then implored the YCDSB to “reject the notion” of flying the “pride” flag or posting LGBT stickers around schools. He asked that they instead focus on furthering “their evangelization efforts through Eucharistic Adoration, Youth Ministry, and of course the saving sacraments.”
“And the YCDSB should do this because the souls of students are in jeopardy from being bombarded with the wrong form of acceptance in these LGBT symbols,” he added.
Concluding his speech, Vosylius told the board and those in attendance, “If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts. My own life was changed in the midst of darkness, and Jesus can do the same for all if you welcome Him in and obey His holy commands. Thank you.”
The crowd once again cheered and applauded in support as the board thanked the young man for his remarks.
‘Stop grooming our kids’
In contrast to the support given to Vosylius, additional footage from after Tuesday night’s meeting shows parents jeering at school board members who have been promoting the LGBT agenda.
In the footage, one woman can be seen yelling “Stop grooming our kids” as other people in the crowd chant “Leave our kids alone!”
As the camera pans, members of the school board can be seen standing behind a group of police officers who form a line of demarcation between the parents and the educators.
Additional footage shows De Buono, who for years has been pushing LGBT information in his classrooms, being met with chants of “Shame” by parents.
Speaking with LifeSiteNews, Vosylius said that originally De Buono was also supposed to speak in front of the board, but the board ultimately decided to cancel De Buono’s appearance.
In an interview with CityNews, De Buono confirmed to a reporter that he was initially invited to speak but then was uninvited based on the “speaking notes” he presented.
Vosylius told LifeSiteNews that he is very grateful for the support of parents, and that prior to his speech, he visited the Blessed Sacrament in adoration to ensure the event would be a success.
The young man also told LifeSiteNews that many other parents prayed in front of the Eucharist while he was delivering his speech, something he says greatly aided him.
The politicization of school boards is an issue that seems to be ramping up in Ontario, with the YCDSB being the second in as many days to face criticism from parents and concerned citizens.
WATCH: Catholic school trustees flee board meeting after parents question anti-Christian tweets
As reported by LifeSiteNews, on Monday at the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, trustees ended up fleeing their scheduled meeting after Rebel News reporter David Menzies and other concerned parents showed up to challenge the board members. They were particularly concerned by tweets made by one of its members, Wendy Ashby, in which she called “white Christian” males the “most dangerous creature on the planet.”
During the Waterloo meeting, Menzies had asked the board if they support or condemn Ashby’s comments vilifying Christians, but he did not receive a reply.