WATERLOO REGION — Catholic trustees say it's OK for teachers to march in the Toronto Pride parade, rejecting concerns raised by a parent group.

Marching supports gay students and staff, trustees agreed Monday in an 8-1 vote.

"As lay leaders in the Catholic community our words and actions matter," Trustee Anthony Piscitelli said. "Let's make it clear here today that the board of trustees supports inclusion."

In a first, the provincewide Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association is sending up to 100 teachers to the June 29 parade that celebrates the same-sex community and others.

Waterloo resident Francis Doyle urged the Waterloo Catholic District School Board to censure the union.

"We cannot allow the teachers of this system to undermine the teachings of our faith," he said. Marching is "wholly incompatible" with Catholic teachings because the parade "mocks chastity and tries to sell a lie," Doyle said.

"I question your understanding of God's design," Trustee Frank Johnson countered. "It's diametrically opposed to what I believe about God."

Johnson argued that censuring teachers could force gay Catholic students further underground, where they might harm themselves.

"There's a lot of lust displayed at the gay Pride parades," Trustee Greg Reitzel said, alone in dissent. "The greatest sin is when we become prideful. To take pride in anything is very dangerous. It's one of the biggest things we have to look out for."

He added: "I have friends who are gay."

Doyle is part of a group that calls itself Parents as First Educators. It's rallying opposition to Catholic participation in the parade.

Local union president Mike Devoy understands that some Catholics may be uncomfortable with elements of the Pride parade. "The intent is to visibly show support for students and staff," he said.

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