Over the past few days there have been several media outlets reporting on the case of a fired Catholic school teacher who was let go from his position after he obtained a same-sex marriage license. According to the teacher, who was also a graduate of the school, his sexual orientation and his relationship with his partner were well known to staff and clergy during the 12 years he was employed. In fact, the teacher said the priest-principal and other school administrators knew he was gay, but had never brought it up prior. Furthermore, the teacher and his partner had a civil union five years prior and he wore a wedding ring in school. While I certainly agree with the school’s right to fire this man, yet, if what he claims is also true, than I think they are guilty of hypocrisy. Why? Because, privately they were condoning a very grievous sin, but only when it became public – did they take any action. This shows an incredible lack of Catholic concern for the gay man: who was supported in his woundedness; and allowed to perpetuate in a state of disunion with God and the Church. It neither represents the teachings nor the goals of the Church on this matter. It embodies the worst sort of liberal Catholic egalitarianism. Furthermore, I am often flooded with complaints and criticisms regarding this point – as countless people have written to me stating that their local Catholic schools do nothing when heterosexual teachers are openly living with a partner or even show up “knocked-up” and unwed. It’s clearly a double-standard that should not be tolerated.
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