The Archdiocese of Indianapolis is defending a school’s decision to fire a married gay teacher.
School officials at Cathedral High School said this week the archbishop made clear it had to cut ties with the teacher or separate from the Catholic Church.
Superintendent of Catholic Schools Gina Fleming says the Archdiocese introduced a policy to private Catholic schools two years ago, outlining the ministerial expectations of employees.
“So if we work for the church we certainly are expected to convey and be supportive of church teachings not only in our classrooms and in our schools but in the way we live our lives,” Fleming says.
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Archbishop Charles Thompson says the Church tries to work with people in situations that conflict with Catholic teachings. But for employees, he says it draws a line at a public same-sex marriage or formal union.
“It’s not about orientation here it’s about a situation that may be contrary to the church’s teaching that we are addressing,” Thompson says.
Thompson says he doesn’t seek out details about teachers’ personal lives. He says he and other Church officials assume “good faith” unless provided with other information.
The Archdiocese has said this policy applies to all of the schools under its umbrella, covering 38 counties and nearly 70 schools.
Meantime, a crowd gathered outside of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis Thursday to protest the firing.
Students organized to pray for their school and urge change in the Catholic Church.
Ethan Marasco will be a junior at Cathedral High School next school year.
Marasco is one of more than 100 people who gathered for a prayer vigil to protest the decision outside of the Indianapolis Archdiocese.
He says he also identifies with the L-G-B-T-Q community, and has no plans to leave his religion behind.
“I see my future to stay in the Catholic Church and celebrate my sexuality. It’s not one or the other,” Marasco says.
Students organized the event, to press the church to change policies they say alienate certain
people.
The Archdiocese oversees more than 60 schools across Indiana.