Catholic school fires gay teacher to avoid losing church recognition

A high school in Indianapolis has fired a gay teacher because executives did not want it to lose its Catholic identity.

Cathedral High School in Indiana's state's capital dismissed the teacher after nearly two years of “earnest discussion” with the Archdiocese of Indianapolis because they were "living in contradiction to Catholic teaching on marriage.”

It comes after the branch of the Roman Catholic Church stripped Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School of its Catholic recognition when school officials refused to fire a teacher in a public same-sex marriage.

In an open letter posted to Cathedral High School’s website, the board Chairman Matt Cohoat and President Rob Bridges announced the decision to “separate from the teacher”.

The letter, which did not identify the teacher in question, said it had taken action after taking advice from Archbishop Charles Thompson, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

It read: “Archbishop Thompson made it clear that Cathedral’s continued employment of a teacher in a public, same-sex marriage would result in our forfeiting our Catholic identity due to our employment of an individual living in contradiction to Catholic teaching on marriage.”

The school, which has been a Catholic school for the past 100 years, also explained that it would no longer be able to operate as a non-profit school if it lost its Catholic identity.

“Cathedral would lose the ability to celebrate the Sacraments as we have in the past 100 years with our students and community," it also said.

“In order to remain a Catholic Holy Cross School, Cathedral must follow the direct guidance given to us by Archbishop Thompson and separate from the teacher.”

The letter described the “agonising decision” of terminating the staff member, saying: “Please know that we offer our prayers and love to this teacher.”

It added: “In today’s climate we know that being Catholic can be challenging and we hope that this action does not dishearten you, and, most especially, dishearten Cathedral’s young people.

“We know that some individuals do not agree with every teaching of the Catholic Church and so their conscience struggles between the teaching and what they believe is right.”

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis told the Standard that staff at schools with Catholic status must "abide by all Church teachings".

It said: "Every archdiocesan Catholic school and private Catholic school has been instructed to clearly state in its contracts and ministerial job descriptions that all ministers must convey and be supportive of all teachings of the Catholic Church.

"When an individual acknowledges their ministerial role by signing their contact, the Church and her schools accept this acknowledgement in good faith."

"This issue is not about sexual orientation; rather, it is about our expectation that all personnel inside a Catholic school—who are ministers of the faith—abide by all Church teachings, including the nature of marriage."

It added: "Over the years, we’ve walked with individuals and schools on many other issues that contradict Church teachings.

"Many individuals have chosen this accompaniment, and a few have not. In such a case, it is very difficult to part ways, but we readily honour the person’s dignity and decision."

Former pupils and social media users expressed their outrage at the teacher’s dismissal under a post on the school's instagram account.

One wrote on Instagram: “Makes me sick I went to this school. That teacher was one of the kindest men I have ever met.”

One former pupil wrote that they were “ashamed” they attended the school whilst another social media user slammed the move “unacceptable”.

In its letter, Cathedral High School explained how Brebeuf school’s situation was different as “a specific ministry of the Jesuits” meaning “their canonical and nonprofit status is different than ours.”

Last week, Brebeuf school said in an open letter that they were in “sincere disagreement” with the Archdiocese.

It read: “Following the Archdiocese’s directive would not only violate our informed conscience on this particular matter, but also set a concerning precedent for future interference in the school’s operations and other governance matters.”

“We also recognize the harm that adhering to this mandate would cause our highly capable and qualified teachers and staff,” it later added.