Last Updated: Friday - 09/24/2010

July 19, 2010

WCR Letters to the Editor

No place for a candidate to explain her platform

I read with interest your editorial on the importance of Catholics electing suitable candidates for Catholic school boards in Alberta in the upcoming election ("Today's Catholic trustees must ask the hard questions," WCR, June 7).

I am running as a candidate for the new ward, Ward 72. I would like to introduce myself to parishioners by speaking at Mass but was warned by other trustees that the priests don't usually allow this since candidates for school trustee are seen as running for a political office.

I tested this theory by phoning St. Charles Parish and was told that not only could I not speak at Masses but there was no room in their parish bulletin since ad space is booked a year in advance and there were no parish social events in the near future at which I could introduce myself to parishioners directly.

The trustees have also warned me that no campaigning is allowed on school grounds although the school does allow pamphlets to be sent home through the students' backpacks once, close to the date of the election.

How will Catholics get to know the candidates?

I will have to go to secular community league barbecues and advertise in secular newspapers.

Thankfully, we have the WCR, which will assist me in getting my name and platform out to Catholics.

John Acheson in his response to your editorial stated, "The trustees will have to boldly engage the Catholic community in the necessary discussion on Catholic education and its identity if we are not to find ourselves in the same situation as has happened elsewhere in Canada where the Catholic community lost their Catholic schools."

It is difficult for candidates to "boldly engage the Catholic community" if we are not allowed on parish or school grounds.

Patricia Grell
Edmonton

Bill 44 just confirms right to offer Catholic education

I am writing to clarify an article on Bill 44 that appeared in an Edmonton newspaper on Saturday, June 26. The article quotes Terrence Harding of Alberta Education as saying that "a parent has a right to request that their child be exempted from religious education in a public, separate, francophone or charter jurisdiction."

This statement does not accurately reflect the essence of Catholic education.

All of the schools in the Edmonton Catholic School District raison d'être is to fully permeate Catholic theology, philosophy, practices and beliefs, the principles of the Gospel and the teachings of the Catholic Church in all aspects of school life.

Students are invited to develop the knowledge, beliefs, skills, values and attitudes needed to build a relationship with God and community through the person of Jesus Christ.

The question remains, why would a parent enroll their child in a Catholic school if they are not comfortable with the very reason for the Catholic school's existence? Although some believe that Catholic schools are threatened by Bill 44, the reality is Bill 44 has simply confirmed our right to offer Catholic education.

Debbie Engel
Chairperson
Edmonton Catholic School Board

Letters to the Editor

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