Catholic Schools In Uk Must Promote Gay Rights And Other "diversi

[Madame Vengier]

[b]Catholic Church slams new code of conduct forcing teachers to promote Islam and gay rights[/b]
By Simon Caldwell
02nd March 2009


The Roman Catholic Church has severely criticised [b]a proposed new code of conduct for teachers which it says will force Christian schools to actively promote Islam and gay rights.[/b]

The Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has warned the General Teaching Council, by the professional regulatory body, that many teachers will quit the profession because they will not be able to accept the revised code of conduct in good conscience.

Their advisers say the code would also [b]seriously undermine the religious character of church schools by imposing on them a hostile form of secular morality.[/b]

[b]The legally-binding code[/b] would discriminate against Christian teachers in recruitment and in the classroom, they say.

Principle 4 of the code demands that teachers ‘proactively challenge discrimination’ and ‘promote equality and value diversity in all their professional relationships and interactions’ before they can be registered.

[b]It means that campaigners can complain if teachers fail to observe the new demands and that teachers and schools can be punished if a complaint is upheld.[/b]

Oona Stannard, head of the Catholic Education Service, an agency of the bishops’ conference, told the GTC in a written submission that ‘there was an understandable fear that the call to “proactively challenge discrimination” could be used to oppose faith schools per se, and the rights that they have in law, for example, to select leaders who are of the faith’.

‘This anxiety extends similarly to the direction to “promote equality”,’ Miss Stannard said.

[b]‘It would be unacceptable to expect anyone to be required to promote something contrary to their own faith beliefs and, indeed, it would not be possible for a person of faith to promote another faith – this is a matter of conscience.’[/b]

Miss Stannard added that there were grave concerns in the Church over the question of whether Catholic teachers would in good conscience feel able to register under the new code.

This means they would either quit the profession or would be dissuaded from entering in the first place, heightening the recruitment crisis already afflicting many schools.

[b]The code proposed by the GTC would be binding on all schools, including the 2,300 primary and secondary schools run by the Catholic Church and the 4,660 run by the Church of England.[/b]

The GTC is insisting that all teachers will have to sign up to the new code before they can practice.

The code will then be used by the GTC to assess cases of serious misconduct by teachers and trainee teachers.

However, it will also be used by school governing bodies and local authorities in recruitment and disciplining of teachers; universities in assessing candidates for teacher training and by employment tribunals assessing claims of unfair dismissal.

Many Christians already fear that equality and diversity rules are being used against them.
Caroline Petrie, a nurse, [b]was suspended by North Somerset Primary Care Trust, for failing to ‘demonstrate a personal and professional commitment to equality and diversity’ after telling a patients she would pray for her, while marriage registrar Lillian Ladelle, disciplined for refusing to preside over same-sex civil partnerships, lost her case at the Employment Appeal Tribunal after the panel ruled in favour of the Islington Council’s ‘commitment to equality’.[/b]

Brighton Council also withdrew funding from Pilgrim Homes, a Christian care home, after staff refused to quiz elderly residents over the sexual orientation in keeping with ‘fair access and diversity’ policies.

The Christian Institute, a non-denominational charity, says that the GTC code means that universities might ask applicants about their willingness to promote gay rights and Islam.

If a teacher was asked at interview if he or she was willing to use materials designed by gay rights groups, the teacher could be rejected for declining because he or she would be in breach of Principle 4.

[b]If a pupil asked an RE teacher if Jesus Christ was the only means to salvation and the teacher replied yes, a non-Christian parent could complain to the GTC over a breach of Principle 4.[/b]

Ofsted inspectors would also be able to criticise schools for promoting the Christian vision of marriage, while teachers who say they will pray for troubled pupils could be suspended for failing to ‘value diversity’.

Colin Hart, Christian Institute director, said: ‘Respect for people as people is not the same as respecting or valuing every religious belief or sexual lifestyle.

[b]‘Forcing this on Christian teachers is to force them to go against their conscience,’ he said.
‘Teachers are there to teach not to be diversity officers.’[/b]

The GTC consultation on the new code closed last Friday.


Source: [url="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1158406/Catholic-Church-slams-new-code-conduct-forcing-teachers-promote-Islam-gay-rights.html?ITO=1490#"]http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11....html?ITO=1490#[/url]

Edited March 2, 2009 by Madame Vengier

[Brother Adam]

It will be a weird turn of history when England wakes up to find itself a Muslim country.

[cmotherofpirl]

This is a concerted effort to drive Christianity out of public life.

[eagle_eye222001]

Thought the days of being REALLY persecuted were over.....

....now I'm beginning to think I might REALLY die like a martyr

[Oliver]

I am the only that thinks there are going to be very few catholics in our generation?

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Oliver' post='1795295' date='Mar 2 2009, 02:06 PM']I am the only that thinks there are going to be very few catholics in our generation?[/quote]
Far from it. We've been talking about this for a while now.

The general consensus is that we're quite possibly going to end up with a much smaller, far more faithful Church.
At least that's one possibility.

[homeschoolmom]

Are Muslim schools required to promote gay "rights"?

[Hassan]

Is there a link to the actual document?

[Madame Vengier]

[quote name='Brother Adam' post='1795254' date='Mar 2 2009, 03:36 PM']It will be a weird turn of history when England wakes up to find itself a Muslim country.[/quote]


Hasn't that already happened? In fact, the entire continent of Europe has been "jokingly" referred to as "Eurabia" for more than 20 years now.

[Madame Vengier]

[quote name='Hassan' post='1795682' date='Mar 2 2009, 10:55 PM']Is there a link to the actual document?[/quote]


You can Google it yourself, Hassan.

[Archaeology cat]

Let us pray for the Bishops here, that they may stand up against this. Even if it means they no longer accept aid from the government. It'll be hard for many to pay for a Catholic education then, though, my family included. Though of course home-schooling is still an option.

[url="http://www.catholic-ew.org.uk/ccb/catholic_church/media_centre2/press_releases/press_releases_2009/ces_response_to_gtce_draft_code_of_conduct_and_practice"]Here's the initial response from the Bishop's Conference: [/url][quote]02/03/2009

Press release

Issued by the CES
CES response to GTCE Draft Code of Conduct and Practice

I have given the Code detailed attention and had the advice of my colleagues and received some very important representation from diocesan officers and others. I, therefore, need to bring to your attention a number of concerns.

The most contentious section is Principle 4, re “Promote equality and value diversity”, particularly:

“Proactively challenge discrimination, stereotyping and bullying, no matter who is the victim or the perpetrator; promote equality and value diversity in all their professional relationships and interactions.”

My initial reaction was to welcome the protection that it should offer, for example, to any teacher in a school with a religious character or for person of religious faith, entitling them to be protected from any harassment or bullying and discrimination. I expect that their rights would be promoted under the proposed requirement to promote equality. Subsequent reflection, however, has led me to think that my stance is too trusting and would not take into account those who would misappropriate the Code and who could abuse the use of the words in Principle 4 to discriminate, for example, against Christian teachers.

There is an understandable fear that the call to “proactively challenge discrimination” could be used to oppose faith schools per se, and the rights that they have in law, for example, to select leaders who are of the faith. This anxiety extends similarly to the direction to “promote equality”. Clearly in secular terms as well as in religious terms “promoting equality and value diversity” (albeit that the Code goes on to contextualise re professional relationships and interactions) could not always be upheld; one has only to think of issues around the BNP to know this. In religious terms, it would be unacceptable to expect anyone to be required to promote something contrary to their own faith beliefs and, indeed, it would not be possible for a person of faith to promote another faith – this is a matter of conscience. Instead they can teach about other religions and faiths. It would be right, however, to call for and to expect respect. It is also the case that bullying can never be acceptable, irrespective of to whom; there cannot be an excuse for bullying whatever a person’s faith, sexual orientation or any other personal characteristics. All teachers should be asked to respect pupils, parents, carers and colleagues (amongst others) from whatever background.

In Principle 4, I also urge acknowledgement in the 2nd bullet point that legislation and, subsequently, policies should include provision for different types of schools and this should be respected, eg there are legislative provisions for schools with a religious character and these should be respected. I would also welcome a reference to working within or upholding the ethos of the school, a point that also applies to Principle 6 and working as part of a whole school team.

Re Principle 8, concerning honesty, integrity and upholding the law; I again ask that the Code reference and acknowledge within this Principle the legal rights of schools with a religious character and also that it expects teachers to uphold the ethos of their school.

Some of the comments that have been put to me show that there is a great unease about the purposes for which the Code may be used. For example, it has been suggested that the Code might be used in selecting teachers, in shortlisting for posts and in ways designed to curb religious freedom. Whilst I am assured that there is no such intention, some of the people who have contacted me doubt that some teachers would feel able to register with the GTC were this Code to be implemented. I do feel that the honourable intentions of the Code and the detailed wording need greater clarity in the areas that I have identified if anxieties are to be assuaged.

I would be most grateful for a reply and assurances that I can publicise to the Catholic community. I would be very willing to discuss further any of the issues that I have raised and to work with you to ensure a Code that will serve well the teaching profession and society as a whole.

Oona Stannard
Chief Executive & Director[/quote]

[Archaeology cat]

[url="http://www.opm.co.uk/gtc/GTCE_draft_code.pdf"]GTCE draft code of conduct[/url]
[url="http://www.opm.co.uk/gtc/"]
GTCE Code Consultation[/url]

[Oliver]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' post='1795592' date='Mar 3 2009, 02:49 AM']Far from it. We've been talking about this for a while now.

The general consensus is that we're quite possibly going to end up with a much smaller, far more faithful Church.
At least that's one possibility.[/quote]

Woops I actually meant Am I instead of I am (my posted sounded rather arrogant). Im glad others are thinking about it too though and having a far more faithful church would be good.

[Archaeology cat]

Here is the part of the code that is referenced in the article (can be found in the link I listed in my previous post):

[quote]4. Promote equality and value diversity
Registered teachers
• Act respectfully towards all children and young people, parents, carers and colleagues, regardless of their socio-economic background, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, religion or beliefs
• Take responsibility for understanding and acting on their obligations under legislation and school policies relating to equality and diversity, bullying and inclusion and access, seeking clarification if necessary
• Proactively challenge discrimination, stereotyping, and bullying, no matter who is the victim or the perpetrator; promote equality and value diversity in all their professional relationships and interactions
• Contribute to the creation of a fair and inclusive school environment by taking steps to improve the wellbeing, development and progress of those with special needs, or whose circumstances place them at risk of exclusion or under-achievement
• Help children and young people to understand and appreciate different views, perspectives, and experiences and develop positive relationships both within school and in the local community
• Are sensitive to the socio-economic and cultural context in which they are working and issues in the local community that may impact on the wellbeing, development and progress of children and young people.[/quote]

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Oliver' post='1796218' date='Mar 3 2009, 10:40 AM']Woops I actually meant Am I instead of I am (my posted sounded rather arrogant). Im glad others are thinking about it too though and having a far more faithful church would be good.[/quote]
Haha, no worries. I didn't even notice the slip.