|
497 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-24
|
Mrs Carolyn Holdsworth |
holdsworth.carolyn@gmail.com |
It is difficult to understand and deeply troubling how a prominent figure in our Catholic community, who has made such significant contributions to Newman Theological College and the wider diocese, could be suddenly removed without cause or explanation. This decision highlights a serious disconnect between the needs and desires of the faithful and the actions of the institution’s leadership, which has shocked and shaken the trust of the community. We are not adversaries, but faithful members of the Church –the families from which our students and vocations originate- who care deeply about the future of NTC and our diocese, and who seek to uphold the values of our faith and ensure the flourishing of our Catholic institutions. Addressing these concerns with clarity, transparency, and accountability is essential to restoring trust in leadership and moving forward in unity for the good of NTC and the broader diocese. |
Yes |
|
496 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-22
|
Mrs Fran Kavanagh |
fkav@shaw.ca |
Dear Archbishop Smith, I humbly appeal to your intervention to have Dr Topping re-instated to his position. |
Yes |
|
495 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-21
|
Mr Jeffrey Schiller |
j.schillr@gmail.com |
Archbishop, I am disappointed to hear of the continual breakdown and parting from Catholic teachings in Catholic educational institutions, most especially at the post-secondary level. It is one thing to hire non-catholics to fill roles when there are not enough Catholic educators/administrators to fill those roles, but it is appalling to think that a sound and well respected Catholic educator like Dr. Topping would be fired without some extreme cause. Surely you must understand that an event like this cannot take place at such an important institution, at very least not without more transparency and clarity. The Catholic community needs to know that NTC is being led in the best interests of the Catholic Church, not the personal interests of a few faculty members. |
Yes |
|
494 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-18
|
Mr Jacob Anderson |
cobson15@gmail.com |
The community spirit of trust and institutional cohesion and pride has all but departed from Newman College. It seems to be an empty and utilitarian institution compared to the hub of community it was becoming while Dr. Topping was involved. I was very much looking forward to learning from Dr. Topping this Fall, but they fired him abruptly and unfairly. I felt cheated out of the opportunity to learn from a virtuous man, an institution I could trust, and a community to thrive in and help grow. The silence from our reverend father the Bishop is one of the most disturbing elements to me. There are many members of your flock that are confused, troubled, and hurt. The silence and seeming lack of care and accountability from the bishop's office and the Newman board is harming the unity of our Catholic community, and by extension, our witness and evangelistic efforts to our secular neighbors. As a student at Newman, as a young Catholic who desires to see our community and the individuals in it flourish, and as someone who desires the Church in Edmonton and Canada to be more and more a light to the nations, I am calling on our community leaders to be courageous and tell the truth. Tell us what happened. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We're a family. Let's start acting like one. |
Yes |
|
493 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-18
|
Miss Emily Bourke |
bourkeemily14@gmail.com |
What I am hoping to see come out of this is open communication and clarity about the events that have transpired between Newman and Dr Topping. |
Yes |
|
492 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-18
|
Mr Mark Doerksen |
mark.doerksen@usask.ca |
I am a member of the Catholic educational community in Western Canada and have been a participant in various Newman Theological College events, such as the Faith and Reason Seminar. As a university instructor from another institution and province, I can personally attest that Dr. Topping's work operating the Faith and Reason seminar for professionals and academics has promoted renewed interest from the community at large in the work of NTC. The dismissal of such a leader in Catholic education without cause seriously compromises the reputation of NTC’s administration and board. For a non-Catholic to dismiss a well-regarded Catholic leader and educator in good standing suggests to me, and other leaders in Catholic education in Western Canada, that NTC needs accountability and transparency. Without an adequate response by NTC to the growing concerns from parents, students, and other educators, I intend to continue to be a vocal opponent in the Catholic educational community of the leadership of the college until satisfactory accountability is met. |
Yes |
|
491 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-18
|
Mr Garrett Nawrocki |
prairiekid@outlook.com |
Dr. Topping's contributions to Newman Theological College cannot be understated, and it is a blatant injustice for him to be let go without notice and under a non-disclosure agreement. Without his leadership, I fear for the future of the Bachelor of Catholic Studies program and the Benedict XVI Institute, which have contributed greatly to the spiritual life of our archdiocese and have brought many young Catholics back to the firm practice of their faith. He must be reinstated as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the reputation of Newman Theological College. |
Yes |
|
489 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-17
|
Mr Reilly Kaup |
rtkaup@gmail.com |
I am a Student at Newman Theological College who is very concerned with the firing of Dr Topping and the lack of transparency around the issue. Dr Topping was the reason I joined the BA program at Newman and he was an excellent professor. Please take the necessary steps as outlined in this email to do what is right for the College and the wider Edmonton Catholic community. |
Yes |
|
488 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-17
|
Mr Richard Kolla |
richyk101@proton.me |
I agree with the statement above. As a Western Canadian Catholic father with young children, Newman will not be on the list of Colleges unless this is dealt with promptly. |
Yes |
|
487 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-16
|
Mr Alex Naidu |
alduanimations@gmail.com |
I agree with every point on this petition and with what everyone else has been saying. |
Yes |
|
486 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-16
|
Dr Roger Hodkinson |
roger@hodkinson.ca |
In total agreement with the 3 committments |
Yes |
|
485 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-16
|
Ms Nicole Beaudoin |
nicolececileb@gmail.com |
Your Grace, it is especially in times such as these, the beginning of the last days, when God seeks proof of our love for Him and his Commandments, proof of our commitment to his Word, and proof of our disdain for the demonic venom cursing through institutions, under the guise of political correctness and inclusivity. We must guard our Lord Jesus Christ's Church, and we must protect students of the only true faith.
I urge you to please correct the harm committed by Dr. Jo-Ann Bradley and her team, and reset the direction of the Newman Theological College.
Asking Your Excellency's blessing, I am, Yours respectfully in Christ,
Nicole Beaudoin |
Yes |
|
484 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-16
|
Mrs Marie-Jeanne Davie |
mariedavie67@yahoo.ca |
I am a parishioer at Holy Trinity in Spruce Grove/Stony Plain. |
Yes |
|
483 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-16
|
Ms Anita Monai-Brophy |
amonaibrophy@gmail.com |
It is very upsetting to hear that Dr. Topping was removed from his position without cause. If no investigation is done, this will serve to widen the gap between Catholics at Newman Theological College. |
Yes |
|
482 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-15
|
Mrs Twyla Lapointe |
twyla.lapointe@gmail.com |
It was with shock and grief that I found out about the decision to fire Dr. Topping, who in all my associations with NTC both personally and through the multiple seminarians I know and care for, has been the primary representative of the college to me. His wisdom, kindness, and sharp mind are true gifts to our community and loss of him and his faithful Catholic family would be a tragedy for the diocesan community.
As a former Protestant who maintains a love for them, I do not necessarily hold that all their kind ought to be removed from our institutions - on the contrary, the brotherhood of orthodox believers ought to be encouraged and ecumenism pursued according to our Lord's order in John 17.
However, it does appear that in this case injustice has been done by a person who happens to be Protestant, and a great loss needs to be rectified.
Respectfully, your Grace, please intervene for your people and bring back a man who is a treasure in our community. |
Yes |
|
481 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-15
|
Mr Levi Power |
lclgbp@me.com |
I attended Newman Theological College for one year and had a great experience. I would like to know that others could look forward to the same, a vibrant community focused on the Catholic faith. |
Yes |
|
480 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-15
|
Miss Mary Sidloski |
mary.a.e@outlook.com |
My recent time in the Edmonton community for work and school was greatly enriched by Dr. Topping's events, at Newman College and the Basilica. I am greatly saddened that it is our own people and institutions that are making it difficult for him to carry out his good work of forming our young people. |
Yes |
|
479 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-14
|
Miss Rowen Lampman |
rowenlampman@gmail.com |
Having attended the Credo lectures at Newman College this past year which were presented by Dr. Topping, I can only say how moved and inspired I was at what he had to offer, so much so that I am considering attending the college. He greatly demonstrated how fascinating the Catholic faith can be, and presented the faith in an engaging manner which is crucial to growing the Church. It was very disappointing to hear that he is no longer able to contribute to the college, we need more people like him. |
Yes |
|
478 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-14
|
Mrs Bernadette Bedard |
Bernadette.sanche@gmail.com |
Saddened by the recent events. Catholic education must always be first and formost authentically Catholic. |
|
|
477 |
Submit by: Guest
On: 2024-10-14
|
Mr patrick mealey |
patrickmealey56@gmail.com |
I agree with the three points headlining this petition. Will the rest of the staff and students be taking any collective action? |
Yes |
