Home
World
Canada
- BC
- Calgary
- Edmonton
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Thunder Bay
- Sudbury
- Windsor
- Toronto
- Ottawa
- Montreal
- NB
- PEI
- NS
- NL
- North
Politics
Health
Arts & Entertainment
- Music
- Film
- Television
- Books
- Media
- Art & Design
- Theatre
Technology & Science
Money
Consumer Life
Diversions
Weather
Your Voice

Golden Compass pulled from Calgary Catholic schools

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 5, 2007 | 4:55 PM MT

CBC News

Calgary's Catholic school board has pulled all copies of a children's fantasy series off library shelves until it finishes a review of the controversial books.

"As a precaution, we've removed it from the shelves … out of respect for the people who have expressed concern," said Judy MacKay, the superintendent of instructional services for the Calgary Catholic School District, after six people called the board.

The Golden Compass trilogy has been pulled from Calgary Catholic schools pending a review of the books.
(Yearling)

Officials said no one can remember receiving any complaints about Philip Pullman's three books in The Golden Compass series in the 10 years they've been available in Calgary Catholic school libraries.

But recent publicity surrounding a movie version of The Golden Compass, starring Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman, has drawn concern from parents.

The trilogy, written by a self-described atheist, portrays a world where organized religion is an oppressive and violent influence. Some people believe it is anti-Catholic and anti-religion; others say it is merely anti-establishment.

A committee of educators and religious experts will spend the next few weeks reviewing the books. Until then, the novels will not be available to students in Calgary's Catholic schools.

'It's simply a process where we take very seriously concerns about instructional resources and so this is not in any way a reflection of a ban.'—Judy MacKay, Calgary Catholic School District

"I believe that it's inaccurate to suggest that the board has banned the book," said MacKay.

"It's simply a process where we take very seriously concerns about instructional resources and so this is not in any way a reflection of a ban."

She added it's unlikely and would be unusual for the books to be banned.

MacKay said there's nothing wrong with books that question religious faith or the place of religion in society, but that it's important those views be presented to students in a responsible and fair manner.

In the United States, the Catholic League has urged a boycott of the movie, which opens Friday. The Halton Catholic school board in Ontario removed the children's books from its library shelves in November.

This story is now closed to commenting.

Internal Links

Pullman books under review by 2 more Catholic boards
Golden Compass named best children's book in 70 years
Challenges to books on the rise, author says

Calgary Headlines

Teens named in 4-death crash near Calgary: Police have released the names of three young women killed in a two-vehicle crash south of Calgary on Saturday afternoon, but have yet to reveal the name of a fourth woman who died.
Roughriders will meet Alouettes in Grey Cup: The Saskatchewan Roughriders are headed to the Grey Cup in Calgary after Darian Durant passed for 204 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-17 win over the defending champion Stampders in Sunday's West Division final.
Activists criticize Alberta for wetland policy delay: An environmental group says a promise from the Alberta government for action on water management over the next decade is too little too late.
Alberta, B.C., look to expand UN World Heritage Site: Alberta and B.C. are looking to add more international sparkle to Canada's Rocky Mountain parks.
2 explosive devices detonate in northeast Calgary: Two explosive devices were detonated in a parking lot between two apartment buildings in northeast Calgary early Saturday morning in an attack police say was targeted.

Canada Headlines

Afghan prisoner transfers halted 'more than 1 time': Canadian officials have halted the transfer of prisoners to Afghanistan's intelligence service "more than one time," because of the possibility of torture, Canada's chief of defence staff said Sunday.
Teens named in 4-death crash near Calgary: Police have released the names of three young women killed in a two-vehicle crash south of Calgary on Saturday afternoon, but have yet to reveal the name of a fourth woman who died.
Vancouver Island residents survey flood damage: Hundreds of people on south Vancouver Island forced from their homes by flooding have been allowed to return, but most won't be able to stay because of damage to their houses.
Search reveals no sign of Halifax sailor: Another day of searching for a missing 68-year-old sailor from Halifax ended Sunday and officials were expected to decide overnight whether to continue their efforts.
PQ leader vows to halt erosion of French: Parti Québécois Leader Pauline Marois promised Sunday to crack down on what her party calls the erosion of the French language in Montreal, a move she says will serve to preserve a relative linguistic peace in the province.

Canada Features

More Features

Top CBCNews.ca Headlines

Headlines

Iranian-Canadian journalist talks of prison ordeal: Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari says he was regularly beaten and threatened with execution while imprisoned in Iran for 118 days.
Afghan prisoner transfers halted 'more than 1 time': Canadian officials have halted the transfer of prisoners to Afghanistan's intelligence service "more than one time," because of the possibility of torture, Canada's chief of defence staff said Sunday.
Indonesian ferry sinks in storm: Rescuers saved more than 240 people aboard an Indonesian passenger ferry that sank Sunday in rough waters off Sumatra island, but at least 29 people have died, officials said.
Iranian forces practise defending nuke sites: Iran on Sunday began large-scale air defence war games aimed at protecting the country's nuclear facilities against any possible attack, state television reported.
Teens named in 4-death crash near Calgary: Police have released the names of three young women killed in a two-vehicle crash south of Calgary on Saturday afternoon, but have yet to reveal the name of a fourth woman who died.