Indiana school fires teacher who is in a same-sex marriage to keep its ‘Catholic identity’
A Catholic school in Indiana is set to fire a gay teacher in an attempt to avoid losing its "Catholic identity" and from getting removed from its diocese, according to reports.
Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, on Sunday, released an open letter to its "Catholic family" stating its "agonizing decision" of removing a teacher from its institution who is in a same-sex marriage, which is not approved by the diocese, according to the New York Post. The teacher has not been identified.
The school, in the letter, states that it had no option because of the strict mandate set by Archbishop Charles Thompson. The mandate reportedly saw a neighboring Catholic school, Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, stripped off its Catholic identity after it refused to accept the ruling to fire a gay teacher at the institution last week.
The letter, signed by Cathedral’s board Chairman Matt Cohoat and President Rob Bridges, states: "It is Archbishop Thompson’s responsibility to oversee faith and morals as related to Catholic identity within the Archdiocese of Indianapolis."
"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," it adds.
The letter also states that the Cathedral, which serves nearly 1,100 students in grades 9 through 12, has been a school of faith for 100 years: "Our Catholic faith is at the core of who we are and what we teach at Cathedral."
"Therefore, 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 stated. The board also acknowledged that their decision could result in a backlash among the students over the controversial decision.
"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," the letter said.
“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. We want you to know that we respect an individual’s conflict between teaching and their conscience.”
The letter concluded with the board saying that it offered "prayers and love to this teacher, our students and faculty, our Archbishop, and all associated with Cathedral."