Saskatoon’s Roman Catholic diocese supports the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools (GSCS) administration following protests sparked by a leaked email last Thursday telling teachers to avoid the LGBTQ-themed Rainbow Tent at a children’s festival.

The message sent by GSCS Supt. Tom Hickey to school principals advised them to stop students from visiting the Rainbow Tent at the upcoming Nutrien Children’s Festival of Saskatchewan, as it was not to be “supported.”

A diocese spokesperson stated while they work with the school division on the well-being of students, the diocese did not provide any instruction about whether or not to visit the Rainbow Tent.

In a statement, Bishop Mark Hagemoen of Saskatoon said he supported the GSCS decision to avoid the Rainbow Tent.