Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Parish has issued a statement after the church denied a request from the White Rock Pride Society earlier this month to host an event in the churchB次元官网网址檚 community centre.
The statement issued by the parish pastor, Father Glenn Dion, says that while the church has received public feedback both in support of, and opposition to its stance, it will not budge on its decision to deny the Pride SocietyB次元官网网址檚 request.
One of the concerns raised by White Rock Pride Society president Ernie Klassen is that the hall is named the B次元官网网址淪tar of the Sea Community Centre.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚f you want to call yourself a community centre, and get the property tax relief from the city, then IB次元官网网址檓 now, as a White Rock citizen, subsidizing their taxes and IB次元官网网址檓 not allowed to use their facility,B次元官网网址� Klassen told Peace Arch B次元官网网址 last week.
The approximate value of the property tax exemption is $11,800.
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The statement, issued last week, makes note of the name of the community centre.
B次元官网网址淚t is somehow being perceived as a public facility rather than a privately owned one, which is a misunderstanding,B次元官网网址� the statement reads. B次元官网网址淲e will adjust the sign for greater clarity. We do allow others to use our hall as long as they are not in conflict with the mission and values of the Parish.B次元官网网址�
The statement notes that the contract used for any prospective renters states that the renter B次元官网网址渁cknowledges that the Premises may in no event be used for any purpose which is unlawful or contrary to the practices, or teaching on matters of faith and morals, of the Roman Catholic Church as interpreted by the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Vancouver.B次元官网网址�
The statement says that the White Rock Pride Society would B次元官网网址渃learly fall within the context of those who promote, practice, and celebrate the intimacy of same sex individuals, the practice of same sex marriage, and the homosexual lifestyle of these proponents.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淭his is in stark contrast to the teaching of the Catholic Church that upholds the sanctity of the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, and the call to live a chaste life for all people, regardless of sexual orientation, outside the sacred bond of marriage.B次元官网网址�
The statement says that all people, B次元官网网址渘o matter their chosen walk of life,B次元官网网址� are children of God.
B次元官网网址淭he Catholic Church teaches that we hold all people in this loving regard, with an inherent right to respect and dignity, even those who live far outside her teaching.B次元官网网址�
Regardless of the love Christ has for all, the statement reads, B次元官网网址渋t doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean that we need to cooperate in the activities of groups that are diametrically opposed to the ChurchB次元官网网址檚 teachings on faith and morals.B次元官网网址�
The statement notes that some have taken the position that the use of the Star of the Sea Community Centre should be without restriction, even if the event stands in contrast to the Catholic beliefs and values.
B次元官网网址淭hat would suggest that we couldnB次元官网网址檛 decline to let our hall be used by groups such as those espousing hatred against a minority or ethnic group, or those wanting to raise funds for the sake of promoting abortion or euthanasia and assisted dying. Our Catholic facilities would not be open for such groups to use.B次元官网网址�
The statement says that the parish has a mission to follow Jesus Christ, and all are invited to do the same.
B次元官网网址淥nce again, the use of our churches, our living quarters, our schools, our hall, and our meeting rooms, are to bear witness to these faith-based principles, even when it seems unpopular to do so.B次元官网网址�
Klassen said Tuesday that since PAN published an article regarding the churchB次元官网网址檚 decision to deny the event, he has had an B次元官网网址渙verwhelmingB次元官网网址� number of people from Star of the Sea church offer their support to the White Rock Pride Society.
B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e saying, please donB次元官网网址檛 give up on this,B次元官网网址� Klassen said. B次元官网网址淚t makes me feel like the members of the local church community are not in sync with the policies of the church. It felt absolutely wonderful.B次元官网网址�
Klassen said those who reached out to him were, for the most part, older women and grandmothers.
B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e coming and saying, B次元官网网址楳y grandson is gay and I really want him to feel like he can be part of the church if he chooses to.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
Klassen said the number of businesses, individuals, and friends that have reached out to the society to show support has been B次元官网网址渇antastic.B次元官网网址�
aaron.hinks@peacearchnews.com
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