Business as usual in Catholic schools

Jesse Jackson once said, “Text without context is pretext.” His comment applies to the recent discussions around an Ontario Divisional Court decision that clearly is pretext taken out of any contextual understanding.

Last month, in a much publicized case, the court ruled that non-Catholic students can opt out of attending religion classes, Mass or other liturgical events led by a priest. Nothing in the ruling, however, affects Catholic students, who are the vast majority in elementary and secondary schools.

Religion courses will continue to be taught and schools will continue to offer eucharistic liturgies, prayers, assemblies and other activities that distinguish and identify Catholic education. Catholic schools will continue to live out their constitutional rights as a distinctive publicly funded school system which enjoys great support in Ontario.