"I actually had a conversation with the principal a few weeks after I was hired to say, how should I handle this." said Winters, adding that she was advised that she could be open about her life with the faculty but to avoid discussing it with students' parents. "So that's what I've done," she said. "I've never been open. And that's been hard."For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
California Parents Say: Drop Morals for Catholic School Teachers
Gays, Teachers Unions March Against Cincinnati Catholic School Morals
Nun Blasted by North Carolina Parents for Teaching Catholicism
Students Demand Catholic School Hire Gay Teacher
Wisconsin Catholic College Welcomes Abortion Feminist Speaker
New Jersey Catholic Religion Teacher Suspended for being Too Biblical
Bishop 'Too Catholic' to Speak at Catholic College
Also read how Catholic schools are being attacked across America by their own parishioners for firing homosexuals.
-- From "Lesbian teacher fired from Catholic school" posted at WTRF-TV7 (Wheeling, WV) 7/12/15
The school's principal released a letter this week alluding to Winters' marriage to a woman as a conflict.
More than 100 parents and community members met on Wednesday to show their support for Winters, who received a standing ovation from the crowd and even led the group in an opening prayer, WPVI reported.
Organizers say this is only the beginning as they will continue to work to get Winters her job back.
According to State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery), sponsor of the Pennsylvania Senate's Marriage Equality Bill, Waldron receives state funding that might override the religion exemption of the township ordinance.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Firing of teacher in same-sex marriage roils Catholic school" by Chris Brennan, Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Writer 7/8/15
Winters said she and her wife "kept a really low profile" about their relationship at the school.
Still, parents of at least two students discovered that Winters was in a same-sex marriage. Winters said one complained to the school and the other contacted the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Winters refused a request to resign and was fired in a June 22 letter from the school.
Winters said she thought the school's connection to the archdiocese played a role in that decision. The school, she said, worried that its "Catholic identity would be in jeopardy."
"The primary consideration that guided my decision-making process was to sustain the Catholic identity of Waldron Mercy Academy," Stetser said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Parents Outraged After Teacher Is Fired Because She’s Married to a Woman" by Beth Greenfield, Senior Writer, Yahoo News 7/9/15
. . . principal Nell Stetser informed parents that Winters, who was the director of religious education and outreach, would no longer be with the school by sending out an email — which both praised Winters for her “amazing contributions” and noted that her personal life is in conflict with the school’s beliefs. “In the Mercy spirit, many of us accept life choices that contradict current Church teachings,” she wrote in the email, a copy of which was forwarded to Yahoo Parenting, “but to continue as a Catholic school, Waldron Mercy must comply with those teachings.”
Stetser added, “I realize some disagree with my decision. I believe, however, I have acted in the best interest of the Waldron Mercy community and preserved our heritage as a Catholic school. We are not alone in this plight. My hope is the pain we experience today adds to the urgency of engaging in an open and honest discussion about this and other divisive issues at the intersection of our society and our Church.”
But Nancy Houston, the mom of an incoming sixth grader, tells Yahoo Parenting that parents felt “shock on so many levels” upon receiving the news about Stetser’s firing. On Wednesday evening, Houston hosted a gathering and brainstorming session for nearly 200 upset parents and school alumni (and a couple of fellow Waldron teachers) at her Philadelphia restaurant, Jack’s Firehouse. “So many of us spent the whole weekend being upset, we had to come together,” she says. “This is not something we expected from Waldron.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Waldron Mercy Academy parents to meet over firing of teacher over same-sex marriage" posted at Main Line Media News (Ardmore, PA) 7/8/15
Parents of Waldron Mercy Academy students are planning to meet today after, according to a letter sent to parents, a director at the school was fired for being in a same-sex marriage.
[Excerpts from] Full letter:
Dear Parents,To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
While it was known by many close to her that she is gay, a recent complaint from a family that has since left Waldron escalated this situation to the school administration, the Board, the Sisters of Mercy and the Archdiocese.
For the past eight years, Margie has done a phenomenal job guiding our children in the spirit of Mercy. We feel blessed to have her in our children’s lives. She embodies the Mercy spirit.
As members of the Waldron community, we are standing with Margie and hope you will join us. We need your help. The media around this story could have major implications for our community. We hope that in the spirit of Mercy, we can stand together to support Margie.
From "Kenney calls archdiocese leaders 'cowardly' after teacher firing" by Chris Brennan, Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Writer 7/10/15
Jim Kenney, the Democratic nominee for Philadelphia mayor, is blaming the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for the controversial firing of a Catholic school faculty member who is in a same-sex marriage.
"The personnel decision was one made by Waldron, not the archdiocese, and the archdiocese did not influence the decision," spokesman Ken Gavin said when asked for reaction to Kenney's comments.
Kenney, a Catholic who has clashed with the church on LGBT rights issues, said he doesn't buy it.
"If you're a church official and you feel that strongly that this woman and her partner are such a threat to society, stand up and say so," Kenney said.
"The children she teaches love her. The parents love her also," Kenney said of Winters. "I just hope the pope comes in September and really puts some people in line."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Archbishop: School That Fired Gay Teacher Showed 'Character'" by Maryclaire Dale, Associated Press 7/13/15
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, in a statement, thanked Waldron Mercy Academy leaders "for taking the steps to ensure that the Catholic faith is presented ... in accord with the teaching of the church. They've shown character and common sense at a moment when both seem to be uncommon."
"Schools describing themselves as Catholic take on the responsibility of teaching and witnessing the Catholic faith in a manner true to Catholic belief," [Archbishop Chaput] wrote. "There's nothing complicated or controversial in this. It's a simple matter of honesty."
. . . he said parents choose Catholic schools for their children so they can see their religious beliefs "fully taught and practiced."
"That simply can't be done if teachers need to worry about wounding the feelings of their students or about alienating students from their parents," said Chaput, who described people with different viewpoints on marriage as "often people of sincerity and good will."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Pope Francis Blasts Liberal 'christians' as Pagans
UPDATE 10/8/15: Lesbians Sue Calif. Christian School for Biblical Beliefs
And read Gay Agenda will be Complete when Christians are Muzzled, Say Homosexualists and read Senator Ted Cruz Says the Gay Agenda Ends Christian Liberty
