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Cincinnati Archdiocese Plans To Fire Principal For Supporting Marriage Equality

The Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Ohio is planning to fire the assistant principal at Purcell Marian High School for supporting marriage equality. On his personal blog last month, Mike Moroski wrote, “I unabashedly believe that gay people SHOULD be allowed to marry,” supporting his position with his Catholic faith. For that, he was placed on administrative leave on February 4, with the expectation that he would be fired if he didn’t recant the statements, which he has no intentions of doing.

Moroski has acknowledged that he violated the Archdiocese’s social media policy, but he denies that he has violated the terms of his contract, which require that he “comply with and act consistently in accordance with the stated philosophy and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.” Though he knows the Roman Catholic Church does not approve marriage equality, he argues that speaking his conscience was in line with that obligation. He posted the following statement on his blog:

As a proud Catholic, I’m heartbroken that my belief that all committed, loving couples should be able to make a public pledge to take responsibility for each other for a lifetime has led to this ultimatum. The expressions of solidarity I have already received from Catholic priests, sisters and justice leaders in the community strengthen my faith during this difficult time. Due to my formation in Catholic grade school, high school and three Catholic universities — not to mention my marriage to the best Catholic I know, my relationship with numerous clergy and a devout Catholic family — I have firmly rooted my life in the Gospel principles of love and justice.

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After twelve years of working with teenagers whose respect I have earned, I simply can’t teach them the wrong lesson now and deny my convictions. I would not be able to look them in the eye. I have tried to instill a sense of faith and fortitude in all of them regarding issues of justice for my entire adult life. I did not turn down the Archdiocese’s terms in spite of my faith. I turned them down because of my faith.

A Change.org petition is calling on the Archdiocese not to follow through on firing Moroski. The Archdiocese has said it will not comment on a personnel matter.