Yellowknife (Oct 13/06) - Letters from Catholic leaders have been sent to parishoners imploring them to vote for Catholics in the upcoming Yellowknife Catholic Schools trustees election.

"For over half a century, education of youth has been nurtured by home, school and parish," wrote Joseph Daley, pastor at St. Patrick's Parish.

"We, who walk in the footsteps of our ancestors, have the responsibility to ensure that a faith based education will be here for future generations."

Daley called a current YCS legal challenge of the territorial law that permits non-Catholics to seek trustees positions "a wake up call."

"I ask all members of our parish to prayerfully reflect upon the great gift of Catholic education which we have inherited and to respond by ensuring Catholic trustees are elected Oct. 16," Daley ended his letter.

Included with Daley's letter is another from Denis Croteau, Bishop of the Diocese of Mackenzie.

Croteau calls the choice supporters of the Catholic school board, "A question of conscience.

"For example, how could a convinced and dedicated Moslem speak on behalf of Jewish parents in a Jewish school system, when he or she doesn't share their beliefs and view on life? "How could a Catholic board formed of Catholics and non-Catholics, non-believers or even atheists be true representatives of Catholic principles of education? Such a board could not fulfill its goal which is to promote a Christ-like vision on the whole of human life."

Croteau is in Rome working at the Vatican and was unavailable for comment.

Daley was also unavailable for comment as of press time.