ANALYSIS: London’s Catholic university breaks from bishop, flies Pride flag

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When the Progress Pride flag flies Tuesday over King’s University College, it may signal change among Catholic institutions, just as it also signals how far the diversity struggle has to go.

London’s Catholic university raises Pride flag, over Bishop’s objection

ANALYSIS: London’s Catholic university raises Pride flag, in lonely step toward inclusion

King’s, part of Western University, will unfurl the flag Tuesday at its campus, the second Roman Catholic-affiliated university in Ontario to do so. St. Jerome’s University in Waterloo also is raising a rainbow flag.

But it will be the only London Catholic institution doing so, as the London District Catholic school board will not and Bishop Ronald Fabbro of the Diocese of London said in a statement he does not support the flag raising.

“It’s progress, but it’s slow moving,” said Stephen D’Amelio, president of Pride London.

“I do think it’s long past time. I’m very happy to see it is happening. It’s important it’s raised. We want to shed light on under-represented people. It’s important the university took this step.”

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Across Ontario, Catholic school boards in Waterloo, Niagara Region, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Durham Region, Wellington and Toronto are among those that voted to fly the flag outside their schools. Hamilton’s Catholic school board voted not to raise it.

In a statement, Fabbro said the flag-raising is not a question of welcoming or inclusivity, as King’s has stated, but a “source of confusion” for many Catholics because it “shows support for political causes that are at odds with traditional religious beliefs,” he said.

“The Church does not accept every interpretation that is given to this flag, and for this reason, I do not endorse raising the flag in our Catholic universities and schools.”

For D’Amelio, the position of the diocese and the Catholic school board is “disappointing, but it’s still a recognition of the work to do. There needs to be more education,” he said.

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At King’s, the decision to fly the flag came after a “slow deliberate process” with input from an LGBTQ committee, principal David Malloy said, and the intention is to create an inclusive, respectful and caring community.

“We want everybody, including members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, to know that they have a place at King’s and will be welcomed with respect, compassion, and sensitivity,” he said.

Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, has been more tolerant of LGBTQ rights than his predecessors, saying there should be national laws for same-sex civil unions.

“The message from the Pope has been very different from previous popes. He is more welcoming,” Malloy said.

The Pope has called for “renewed social dialogue, and calls us to develop ‘the ability to recognize other people’s right to be themselves and to be different,’” Malloy said.

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The London District Catholic school board receives requests throughout the year to fly various flags, board spokesperson Mark Adkinson said in a statement.

“The practice at the LDCSB is to fly only the Canadian flag, the Ontario flag or the Franco-Ontarian flag,” he said. “Every school creates a belonging plan each year, which contains initiatives and activities to promote safe, caring, inclusive and healthy communities for everyone.”

King’s is raising the Progress Pride flag representing a broader group than the rainbow Pride flag. It includes the original six full-sized background colour stripes of the Pride flag plus the addition of five half-sized stripes (in the shape of a chevron) representing trans individuals (light blue, light pink, white); marginalized people of colour and Indigenous people (brown, black); as well as those living with AIDS, those no longer living and the stigma surrounding them (black).

Schools in the Thames Valley District school board will fly Pride flags for the month of June.