Less than a week after the Archdiocese of Indianapolis split with a Catholic high schoolbecause it refused to fire a gay teacher, another high school says it will let a gay teacher go so it can remain in the diocese.
Leaders of Cathedral High School announced Sunday they terminated a teacher’s contract
because they’re in a public same-sex marriage.
In a letter to the school community, Cathedral's Board Chairman Matt Cohoat and
President Rob Bridges say it was a quote “agonizing decision.”
But if the teacher was not terminated, they say the Archdiocese would no longer recognize the
school. That would cause Cathedral to lose its non-profit status, and it could no longer call itself a Catholic school.
Last week the Archdiocese of Indianapolis cut ties with Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School
because leaders refused to fire a married gay teacher.
Monday the Archdiocese of Indianapolis released the following statement:
"In the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, 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. If and when a minister of the faith is publicly not doing so, the Church calls us to help the individual strive to live a life in accordance with Catholic teaching. 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 honor the person’s dignity and decision."