Principal of Whitehorse Catholic school steps down alleging bullying, interference by local bishop

The principal of a Whitehorse Catholic school has stepped down from her position, alleging that the local bishop — whom she describes as "dangerous" — frequently oversteps his authority while the education department does little to address his behaviour.

Maria Gray informed Holy Family Elementary School families of her decision in a goodbye email last week.

Gray, who joined Holy Family in 2021, declined an interview request. However, CBC News obtained a letter she sent to the school council Tuesday in which she accused Bishop Hector Vila of school interference, making discriminatory and hateful comments about First Nations and 2SLGBTQ+ people and harassing and bullying staff.

"This has taken a severe toll on my well-being, despite efforts to seek support and resolution," Gray wrote.

"I have been constantly 'between a rock and a hard place' and the gaslighting, lack of support, and crisis of my own conscience have come to a breaking point."

Gray has requested to be moved to a position outside of the Yukon Catholic schools. 

Yolande Cherepak, the executive assistant at the bishop's office in Whitehorse, said in an email Friday that the office is "aware of the situation and is actively assessing the details." 

"Our top priority is to support our Catholic school communities in this time of transition…. At this time, we are unable to provide further specifics," Cherepak wrote.

Cherepak directed further inquiries to the diocese's manager of chancery operations, who had not responded as of Sunday evening.

The Yukon's Department of Education also had not provided an interview or comment by then. 

Holy Family teachers Tamara Boiteau and Julie Todd, meanwhile, said in an interview that staff were feeling "pretty devastated." They described Gray as a well-liked, highly-qualified Catholic educator and administrator who protected teachers and knew how to help students at all levels succeed. 

"We shouldn't be losing her," Boiteau said. "We should not have our principal feeling like she has to step away from Catholic schools because of lack of support from the department, lack of clear understanding of roles and responsibilities with Bishop Hector [Vila]." 

Boiteau, who's queer, added that Gray was a "huge advocate" for the education department's sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) policy, and strongly defended the school's display of the 2SLGBTQ+ flag.

"I'm pretty fearful of that if whoever's going to come in and take over is going to still feel that same way and be as passionate as she was," Boiteau said. 

The Holy Family school council declined an interview request. 

Letter alleges bullying, 'nefarious interference" in curriculum 

Gray, in her letter, accused Vila of creating "tension" between Catholic schools and the diocese since his arrival in 2016, including by making inappropriate and discriminatory comments about First Nations culture and history while dismissing truth and reconciliation efforts, bullying and harassing staff at a professional development event and moving meetings with school principals to his property.

She also alleged interference in school operations relating to inclusivity and SOGI policies, about which she claimed the bishop has been "outright harassing and discriminatory." As well, she accused him of "nefarious interference" in the curriculum, particularly around health.

Gray appeared to be referencing a letter Vila sent to Catholic school families in January highlighting part of the Yukon's "Better to Know" program, which includes topics like sexual activity, birth control and 2SLGBTQ+ identity. He wrote that it was "not approved by the Catholic Church" and encouraged parents to sign non-existent lesson opt-out forms.

Gray sent a follow-up email to families to address "inaccuracies," noting that the Kindergarten to Grade 3 health curriculum focuses on the proper names for body parts and "safe touch" while students in Grade 4 to 7 primarily learn about puberty and the science of reproduction — for example, the roles of a sperm and egg. 

In her school council letter, Gray wrote that her repeated requests for the education department to clarify Vila's role within Yukon Catholic schools, set boundaries, undertake reconciliation efforts and create safety plans have gone unaddressed.

There was an "urgent need," Gray continued, "for policy revisions regarding the relationship between the Department of Education and the episcopal corporation," as well as for the creation of policies to better protect Catholic schools and staff. 

She also called for a re-examination of the existing agreement under which Yukon Catholic schools were founded, and for roles and responsibilities within the system to be properly defined.

"After 15 years in Yukon Catholic schools, I see that it is simply not possible for a Yukon Catholic school leader to successfully follow both the public school mandates and the ideas of a dangerous bishop who has an unclear umbrella-of-influence lacking checks and balances re: his authority and behaviour with school staff," Gray wrote. 

"I can't help but wonder if publicly funded religious schools are still viable amidst oppositional — hostile, even — stakeholders with seemingly incompatible values."

In her separate goodbye email to families, Gray wrote that she was filled with "both overwhelming gratitude and deep sadness," and urged them to continue to support Holy Family's school staff and council.

She also added that her child would continue to attend Holy Family.

"I now join you as a parent, committed to actively supporting all the good work that places student wellness and learning above all else," she wrote.