The Catholic Weekly 7 February 2021

$2 This bill is about winding back the creep of gender fluidity ideologies into NSW schools and re-establishing the primacy of parents ...” Mark Latham MLC A PROPOSED law to affirm parents as the primary educa- tors of their children will pro- mote greater transparency in teaching and resist the under- mining of families wishing to pass on values and faith, say its supporters including Arch- bishop Anthony Fisher OP. A parliamentary inquiry into the Education Legislation Amendment (Parental Rights) Bill 2020 is seeking submis- sions through an online sur- vey or written submission. The Bill aims to ensure par- ents of students in New South Wales schools are fully aware of what is being taught in their children’s classrooms. It would stop schools from providing instruction on ide- ologically-based and political material that is inconsistent with the wishes and values of parents, and give parents the right to withdraw students from classes they object to. In particular, the Bill seeks to prohibit the promotion of gender fluidity in schools while not affecting the rights of transgender students to support and wellbeing in schools. “By ensuring parents are kept informed about what their children will be taught regarding matters of morality, the Bill shows respect for the role of parents as primary ed- ucators of their children,” said Archbishop Fisher. “It troubles me that there would be resistance in some quarters to a law that re- quires schools to be upfront and transparent with parents about what children are be- ing taught in the classroom. Schools should partner with parents for the flourishing of children, not hide things from them. “I am asking all those who care about the role of parents in the education of their chil- dren, and who want to protect children fromhidden agendas that can sometimes creep into the classroom, to voice their support for parents’ rights.” The Bill’s author and chair of the inquiry committee Mark Latham MLC said it supports the stated aim of NSW Education Minister Sa- rah Mitchell that overtly po- litical content has no place in classrooms. “This Bill is about winding back the creep of gender fluidity ideologies into NSW schools and re-estab- lishing the primacy of parents in shaping their children’s de- velopment and sense of iden- tity,” said Mr Latham. Parents “must have a valid right to ensure that what’s taught in schools aligns with their family’s values and pri- orities” he added. Council for Catholic School Parents (CCSP) NSW/ACT also support the bill. Executive director Peter Grace said it would publish its submission on its website by early March. CCSP chair Wayne Davie said that the complexity of the subject matter dealt with in the Education Legislation Amendment (Parental Rights) Bill 2020 “warrants careful consideration”. “In principle, CCSP sup- ports any move, legislative or otherwise, that protects and promotes the place of parents as the first educators of their children,” Mr Davie said in a statement. “This is particularly rele- vant in matters of parental primacy, such as gender and sexuality.” He said the Bill’s provision that schools consult parents on significant issues is “to a large extent, already observed in the NSW Catholic school sector” . CONTINUED PAGE 4 MONICA DOUMIT PAGE 11 Call to back parents ProposedNSWlegislationseeks toensureparentsknowandcanvetwhat their childrenarebeing taught ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues MUCHBELOVED priest Fr Isi- dore Anantharaj EV was fare- welled into eternal life at his requiemMass on 1 February at theMater Dei Catholic Church in Blakehurst - his home par- ish. Fr Isidore, who had been battling cancer, died aged 69 on 20 January. Known bymany in the Arch- diocese for his cheerful de- meanour, mourners gathered from high and low and from all walks of life to pay tribute and give thanks to the man whose ministry had enriched the lives of countless people both in Sydney and abroad. “Fr Isidore was an excellent advertisement for Christian joy - one of the most excellent, dare I say,” said Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP who celebrated the Massalongsideauxiliarybishops Terry Brady, Richard Umbers, and the Vicar General Fr Gerry Gleeson. “Even when suffering recur- rent bouts of cancer and treat- ment, with all the associated suffering, he was always smil- ing. Indeed, his smile could fill a room, a church, a parish. It was infectious,” said Archbish- op Fisher. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 ¾ David Ryan Beloved priest bid farewell 7, February, 2021 WHEN FORGIVING IS DIVINE P5 PROBLEM: BAD FAITH ONLINE P12 Poignant moment: a child kisses the coffin of Fr Isidore Athanaraj in farewell at the popular priest’s funeral at Mater Dei Church in Blakehurst. PHOTO: GIOVANNI PORTELLI