Archbishop Chaput backs Catholic school's dismissal of teacher involved in same-sex marriage
July 13, 2015
Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia has issued a statement of support for the decision of a private Catholic school to dismiss a teacher who is involved in a same-sex marriage.
Margie Winters was religious-education director at Waldron Mercy Academy; she has said that the school was aware of her union with another woman at the time she was hired. Her firing has provoked angry protests.
Waldron Mercy Academy explained the firing by saying that the school is under the authority of the Philadelphia archdiocese, and to preserve its status as a Catholic school, must comply with Church teachings. The Philadelphia archdiocese, however, had observed that the school is private, and makes its own personnel decisions.
Now Archbishop Chaput has released a statement backing the school’s decision. The archbishop said:
Schools describing themselves as Catholic take on the responsibility of teaching and witnessing the Catholic faith in a manner true to Catholic belief. There's nothing complicated or controversial in this. It's a simple matter of honesty. I'm very grateful to the Religious Sisters of Mercy and to the principal and board members of Waldron Mercy for taking the steps to ensure that the Catholic faith is presented in a way fully in accord with the teaching of the Church. They've shown character and common sense at a moment when both seem to be uncommon.
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Further information:
- Archbishop Chaput releases statement on fired Catholic school staffer (6ABC)
- Statement of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. Regarding Waldron Mercy Academy (Philadelphia archdiocese)
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Posted by: frjpharrington3912 -
Jul. 13, 2015 11:20 PM ET USA
Thank you Archbishop Chaput for fulfilling your duty as the supreme authority in the diocese in matters of faith and morals to teach the truth in accord with the Magisterium of the Church. Thank you for your support of the Religious Sisters of Mercy who preferred preserving the integrity of the Catholic faith and the courage to bear witness to it than to compromising it for some fleeting recognition from the world. Thank you for showing uncommon courage in the face of opposition.
