Two bits of information should be noted in the firing by Bishop Watterson High School in Clintonville of a lesbian teacher.
First, whereas public schools operate under constitutional or case law, private schools operate under contract law. When teachers in private schools sign a contract, their status of employment is based on adherence to the contractual standards to which they have willingly agreed. If the contract includes a morality clause, the stipulations of that clause must be followed or it will be considered to be a breach of contract.
Second, whereas parochial and other religious private schools cannot discriminate in their hiring and discharge practices because of race, color, sex, national origin, age or disability, they may discriminate on religious grounds. Section 702 of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 creates a blanket exemption in the area of religion for religious organizations.
The hiring and discharge practices of a religious school, then, can be tied to the school's firmly held religious beliefs. And this legislation applies to all employees of the school, not simply those whose jobs are 'religious' in nature. Thus, within a religious school the appointment of a teacher of mathematics is covered in the same manner as that of a teacher of religion or biblical studies.
Christian organizations, as the word implies, seek to follow the teachings of Christ. The Gospel of Matthew (Chapter 19) quotes Christ's words that there is to be faithfulness within the marriage relationship and that marriage is to be between a male and female. Sexual relations outside of marriage thus defined are considered to be sin and unacceptable for teachers who have been specifically contracted to be role models for their students.
Bishop Watterson High School is simply doing what it is legally allowed and morally obligated to do.
- JACK FENNEMA