My children are approaching high school age and I have chosen to send them to St. John’s College, but I don’t wish for them to receive any religious instruction.
As with the majority of people who choose a Catholic high school, religion was not a factor in my decision. Location, programs and friends were the criteria.
There’s a problem.
According to St. John’s and every other publicly funded Catholic high school in Ontario, religion is a mandatory course. They have all been telling this same lie since funding was extended to the end of Grade 12 in Catholic high schools in 1984, by then-premier Bill Davis.
Part of the 1984 deal was open access to all faiths and exemption from religious instruction, upon request, for public school supporters who attended Catholic high schools. Section 42(13) of the Education Act is very clear. Check it out.
At the time, Catholic schools chose not to challenge the new, but clearly unconstitutional, open access provisions of this deal because, if they did, they wouldn’t get a ride on the gravy train.
They did, however, choose to ignore the exemption from religious instruction provision. Why? Maybe they thought that nobody would challenge them.
Maybe somebody will.
From the Spanish Inquisition to the present day, the Roman Catholic Church has shown itself to be a corrupt institution. I, for one, will not tolerate a publicly funded institution telling me that I must expose my children to their attempts at indoctrination.
The law is on my side.
Nancy Hunsley
Brantford
Bravo for bringing this to public attention! It has been a well kept secret and intentionally hidden “right” of every student for the last 25 years. I had the same experience with my local Catholic School Board. Fought them for 6 months to simply provide us with the exemption written into the Education Act. In 1984, Catholic Boards accepted the cash and although they didn’t really like “Open Access Legislation” (letting in everyone, including non-Catholics) but probably also realized it was part of the deal: public money = public access. Also, lets be honest, every kid comes with all our public tax dollars in their pocket, so letting everyone in does have it’s upside (money money money)! However, since they had to let everyone in, it was logically written into law that they couldn’t force religion classes on students (yes, even Catholic students). Well, they have been keeping that part of the law under their hats. In-fact, not only do they have the audacity to strategically keep it hidden (deceit is lying) but when someone asks for the exemption (their legal right) they do everything they can to deny that right! Why? Do the math, how many students at a Catholic High School would want the right to choose all their electives including religion if that was what they wanted. How many parents would want their kids to be as prepared for post secondary without handing over 4 courses to the Catholic Church? Now, if you have done the math, can someone explain why Ontario funds two school systems? That’s why the Catholic School system wants to deny your exemption request, look at the line-up at the guidance office! Keep fighting, they have to give you what is your legal right.
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I moved to a new School this year. Registered at the Catholic High School (right around the corner). If this is true they LIED right to my face when i asked to get out of grade 12 religion. They told me I had to take religion, there was no choice. The teachers, principal, guidance, everyone said if I didn’t want to take religion I should go to the public school. I would have had to take a bus, they had an old gym and no sports and only a few clubs. They say “Christian Values” but then they LIE! If they wanted to convert me with everyone’s tax money they did not succeed!
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Yikes!!! It’s true!!! Here’s that section of the Education Act. VERY CLEAR is right.
Additional exemptions
42(13) In addition to the exemptions provided for in subsection (11), no person who is qualified to be a resident pupil in respect of a secondary school operated by a public board who attends a secondary school operated by a Roman Catholic board shall be required to take part in any program or course of study in religious education on written application to the Board of,
(a) the parent or guardian of the person;
(b) in the case of a person who is 16 or 17 years old who has withdrawn from parental control, the person himself or herself;
(c) in the case of a person who is 18 years old or older, the person himself or herself. 2006, c. 28, s. 9.
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that is the beginning of a very complex discussion. First things first, pay for only one public system with public money. Get rid of the Catholic School Board which is essentially private schools we all pay for, regardless if we choose (or are allowed) to attend.
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Last year I heard from a parent whose son was set to graduate from a catholic school with very high marks. The school refused to put him on the honour roll because he had not taken their religion classes. Lesson is you can’t trust the system to act ethically and it’s wiser to not involve your children with them. When will the Ontario government finally eliminate the catholic system?
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Even though we eventually received an exemption (4 month battle), I was originally astounded by the contrast between their announced “Christian Values” and the appalling behavior of the Trustee, Superintendent, Principal and Chaplin in our Catholic School Board. They give new meaning to the term “two-faced”! It is toxic and systemic in nature. They are merely one more bureaucracy where self preservation trumps any advertised value system. I am no longer surprised by any tactic they employ to hurt people who try to stand up to them.
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