I was happy to read the Nov. 22 article “Student earns praise for launching Catholic Club at public school,” then disappointed by the follow-up story “School authorities clamp down on Catholic Club after complaints.”
It mentioned that Patricia MacNeil, director of communications at the Vancouver School Board, said Section 76 of the BC School Act “stated that schools must be conducted on strictly secular and non-sectarian principle,” and that “no religious dogma or creed is to be taught in a school.”
It is obvious that this part of the section applies to the teaching staff, and it has nothing to do with student clubs. Since The B.C. Catholic has asked the B.C. Ministry of Education about this point and was referred to local school districts for rules about clubs, I believe you need to follow up on this issue with the school district.
Joseph Chen
Richmond
Timothy Que is a very brave student and I admire him. He is truly a disciple of Jesus, standing firm in his faith.
It is very disappointing when a school prohibits a Catholic club that is for students who are Catholics and whose parents might be unable to offer Catholic schooling to their children.
The club still respect other students’ religious beliefs. Timothy is a good model for all young Catholics today.
Co Kien Ha
Vancouver
Northern Health has imposed a blanket ban on unvaccinated people attending Mass. The definition of an “event” with regards to the public health order now includes a worship service, which seems to be a new precedent that ignores the constitutionally protected nature of Mass.
This is troubling to many Catholics, including in the North, when worship services are protected elsewhere in B.C.
Christine Hoogendoorn
Fort St. John
No longer can we count on support from any Conservative Members of Parliament now that they have unanimously voted to refuse to help people to get away from the stranglehold of addictions that will inevitably lead to their unprovided death.
Refusing to allow people to use their knowledge to save others from great harm is now the law of the land. All we can do now is pray.
George Bochenek
Maple Ridge
