Canada: Peterborough Bishop Responds to Human Rights Complaint by Dismissed Homosexual Altar Server

LifeSiteNews: “The Bishop of Peterborough, Nicola De Angelis, has written a pastoral letter to the faithful of his diocese addressing a recent complaint to the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal (OHRT), brought against the bishop and twelve local parishioners . . .  This past April, Bishop de Angelis directed St. Michael’s pastor, Fr. Allan Hood, to dismiss Jim Corcoran from altar serving at the parish; this came after a letter was submitted to him by 12 parishioners, who were concerned about public scandal because it was known that Corcoran lives with his same-sex partner.”

The OHRT Complaint

The relief requested in the complaint is copied below:

__________

I feel that a penalty of $20,000 paid by each of the 12 parishioner towards a charity of my choosing will serve as a deterrent to each of them from slandering the reputation of and trampling on the human rights of others.  I would like my legal costs related to this application to be covered by the Diocese of Peterborough, to a maximum of $25,000.

I would like the group of 12 parishioners to be held accountable for their un-Christian actions, in front of their peers in a public forum, by the Bishop or the Bishop’s superior.  I would like the Bishop to preach a sermon at St. Michael’s Church on the consequences of practicing discrimination and the slanderous spreading of rumours, hate and innuendo.  I would also like the Bishop to publicly restore my role as a server at St. Michael’s church, and to apologize for the injustice caused to me, my friends and family.

I would like the Catholic Archdiocese of Peterborough to publish an article written by the Bishop in the regularly published diocesan news magazine on the rights of persons with same sex attractions to practice their faith within the Catholic Church without fear of threats, recrimination or discrimination.  I would also like the Catholic Archdiocese of Peterborough to develop and publish policies that support the human rights of all people within the church.