Alberta bishops hold talks over controversial teacher pacts
Calgary Bishop William McGrattan is expected to speak Friday on a growing controversy surrounding Catholic teachers and their employment contracts, which suggest they cannot engage in samesex relationships.
Nadia Hinds, director of communications with the Calgary Catholic Diocese, confirmed that McGrattan spoke with the three other bishops representing Alberta and the Northwest Territories on Thursday to develop a strategy and response.
“The bishops are supportive of Catholic education,” said Hinds. “They are talking by phone and they will have a statement on the LGBTQ issue.”
Officials with the Calgary Catholic School District confirmed Wednesday that its teachers are required to sign documents that state they must live “a lifestyle and deportment in harmony with Catholic teaching and principles.”
Richard Svoboda, superintendent of human resources at CCSD, confirmed “relationships that would be acceptable are those recognized by the Catholic Church, that have to be acknowledged by a Catholic priest.”
He then added, “that would not include a same-sex relationship or a common-law relationship.”
Education Minister David Eggen issued a statement Thursday saying he has concerns around such documents, encouraging teachers to take grievances to their union or the Alberta Human Rights Commission.
“I was deeply concerned to learn that any school board was making their employees sign a document that says it is not OK to be gay. That’s simply not acceptable in today’s Alberta. Our government firmly believes that LGBTQ rights are human rights — we will not condone discrimination against people on the basis of who they love.”
But LGBTQ advocate Kris Wells is demanding the province launch a full inquiry and remove the contracts across a system that is publicly funded by taxpayers, not the church.
“Clearly these contracts need to be pulled from the system entirely and replaced,” said Wells, an associate professor in the Faculty of Health and Community Studies at MacEwan University.
“Given the revelations this week, there is clearly a homophobic culture within Catholic schools across the province. And the minister needs to launch an investigation.”
Former Catholic school principal Barb Hamilton has recently taken her case to the Alberta Human Rights Commission, alleging she was forced to leave her position because of her sexuality.
In the past week, teachers in Edmonton and Red Deer have also raised concerns about having to sign Catholicity clauses that dictate their lifestyle choices and discourage being gay.
The Alberta Teachers’ Association also issued a statement this week raising concerns.
“The Association opposes the inclusion of clauses in contracts of employment that are discriminatory and that interfere with the teachers’ natural and human rights,” said Jonathan Teghtmeyer, communications spokesman for the ATA. “We recognize that denominational education is protected under the Charter. However, our policy calls upon Catholic boards, notwithstanding their special constitutional status, to refrain from hiring and employment practices that would be discriminatory.”