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Bishop's Letters | Pastoral Letter on the Education Dispute 1997
BISHOP
A.F. TONNOS, For
Immediate Release As a result of its experience over the years of the dedication of our teachers to young people and the integrity with which they have guided the students, the bishops of Ontario have developed the highest respect for teachers and the teaching profession. It has been our experience that teachers have shared with us an appreciation of the importance of children and families. It is with this mutual commitment in mind and because of our concern for the education of students that we have decided to make this statement. We do not feel it appropriate to comment on the details of the issues in dispute. We recognize that the government must be in charge of overall education policy for the province.. However, we observe an Ontario which is diverse in many aspects and where it is not prudent to assume that one measure will fit all circumstances. We would hope that in managing their disagreement, both sides would recognize that as much space should be left for local communities to make decisions which affect the lives of children, parents and teachers, as it is possible to allow. Local solutions, which have been customary in Ontario, are normally highly satisfactory. When all other avenues are exhausted and individuals are convinced that their cause is just, Catholic social teaching supports their right to strike and requires just treatment for them. We urge both sides in the current disagreement to settle their differences in a way which achieves reform and does justice to children, families and teachers in what is a very fine education system.
Bishop
of Hamilton Contact Person: Tom Reilly, General Secretary of the OCCB, phone 416 - 923 - 1423
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