An anonymous group of parents has turned to the public in their efforts to stop a teacher from using homophobic content in his lessons at the Yukon’s only Catholic high school.

And it seems their efforts have paid off, with the Department of Education ordering the textbook pulled from service immediately.

In an email sent Sunday evening, cabinet communications say, “Effective February 29, the Department of Education determined that the textbook in question was no longer to be used, and collection of the book began immediately.

“A formal review of this situation is being conducted by the school administration. Part of this review includes working collaboratively with the Bishop and looking to other jurisdictions to clarify appropriate resources for religious programming.”

The issue came to public attention last week, when “Concerned Parents of St. Francis Students” sent a letter, with attachments, out to politicians, media, and community groups voicing their frustration.

“For years, students have expressed their concerns … to their teachers and counsellors, and yet nothing has been done,” said the letter.

“Parents have complained to the principal and vice-principal, but nothing seems to change.”

At issue is the textbook Called to Happiness: Guiding Ethical Principles and related lessons used by the Grade 12 Philosophy class teacher.

It teaches that homosexual acts – along with masturbation and contraception – are disordered and that “we ought not to do them if we want to act in accord with the will of God.”

In the teacher’s corresponding lesson, the list of disordered acts includes bestiality, oral sex and pornography, in addition to the three mentioned in the textbook.

NDP MLA Lane Tredger, an alumni of the school, raised the issue in the legislature last Thursday.

“Does the minister think it is acceptable for a publicly funded Yukon school to teach students that homosexuality is disordered and comparable to bestiality?” Tredger asked.

Education Minister Jeanie McLean didn’t give a hard yes-no answer at the time.

“While Catholic schools have the right to provide religious education programs and lessons that teach Catholic values to their students, they do not have the right to provide teachings about sexual orientation and gender identity (SOCI) that are inconsistent with Yukon’s laws and Department of Education policies,” she said.

“These matters are being addressed,” McLean said, but did not provide specifics.

Those came in Sunday’s email from cabinet communications, which said the textbook was being pulled from the classroom effective Feb. 29.

“The Department of Education will be collaborating with the Bishop to ensure all instructional materials align with Yukon law and education policies,” they said.

The Education department put a SOGI policy in place last August. The government has had a LGBTQ2S+ Action Plan in place since July 2021 as well.

On Friday, Tredger described feeling “quite shocked” by the minister’s evasive answers around the issue in the legislature.

“It’s a no-brainer to me to say this textbook is unacceptable,” the NDP MLA said, adding that the fact that the parents had to come forward anonymously is also concerning.

McLean told MLAs Thursday that all students, staff and parents have a right to feel safe and to be safe in Yukon public schools.

“We thank the concerned parents for bringing forward their concerns and we can confirm that this is being addressed at the school level …. We remain committed to ensuring that our schools are safe spaces for all students and staff.”

In an interview with The Associated Press last year, Pope Francis quoted the Catechism of the Catholic Church in saying gay people must be welcomed and respected, and should not be marginalized or discriminated against.

The Yukon government funds three Catholic schools – St. Francis of Assisi High School, Christ the King Elementary and Holy Family Elementary – thanks to a 1962 agreement between the government and the Catholic Episcopal Corporation.

Neither the Yukon Act nor the Education Act explicitly protect the funding arrangement.

This isn’t the first time the Catholic high school has come under fire for its SOGI teachings in public.

In 2013, then-Yukon Party Education minister Scott Kent wrote to the Bishop of the day saying the high school must fall in line with departmental policy on sexual orientation, and that current church teachings are likely a violation of Yukon and federal law.