Sunday, 11 February 2018

Lesbian Miami Catholic school teacher fired for marrying girlfriend

A teacher at a Miami Catholic school was fired days ater she married her girlfriend.

Lesbian Miami Catholic school teacher fired for marrying girlfriend


Parents are up in arms over Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School’s decision and are demanding answers after Jocelyn Morffi, a beloved teacher, was dismissed, the Miami Herald reported.

The first-grade teacher, who had taught at the school for nearly seven years, returned to her job Wednesday after marrying her partner in a same-sex wedding ceremony over the weekend. That's when she learned she was no longer employed.

Four slain in 'horrific' Kentucky killing spree before suspect takes own life


“This weekend I married the love of my life and unfortunately I was terminated from my job as a result,” Morffi wrote in a social media post. “In their eyes I’m not the right kind of Catholic for my choice in partner.”

The school informed parents of their decision in a letter but did not cite a reason for letting Morffi go.

On Friday morning, a group of about 20 parents gathered at the school demanding an explanation from its principal, the Miami Herald reported.

Teacher adopts problem student who almost made her give up on education — and his little brother

Cini said she didn’t know that Morffi was gay, but that it didn’t matter to her or other parents.

“Our only concern was the way she was with our children, the way she taught our children and this woman by far was one of the best teachers out there,” Cini told the Miami Herald.

Archdiocese of Miami spokeswoman Mary Ross Agosta confirmed Morffi’s firing, saying that the teacher had broken her contract, according to the Miami Herald.

“As a teacher in a Catholic school their responsibility is partly for the spiritual growth of the children,” Agosta said. “One has to understand that in any corporation, institution or organization there are policies and procedures and teachings and traditions that are adhered to. If something along the way does not continue to stay within that contract, then we have no other choice.”

Jocelyn Morffi shared a post on social media after she was fired from her job.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski sent a memo to employees reminding them that all employees, including school teachers, are expected to abide by Catholic teachings. Any conduct “inconsistent” with that could result in their termination, the memo said.

Tony Lima, executive director of the South Florida LGBT rights group SAVE, was outraged by Morffi’s firing.

“I think it’s shocking that in this day and age this continues to happen in South Florida. It’s important to continue educating the community that this kind of stuff happens in this day and age. But it’s even more important to pass comprehensive statewide protections,” he told the Miami Herald.

Parents advocated on behalf of Morffi. One parent even considered withdrawing her child from the school in light of recent developments, the Miami Herald reported.

“This is really bad,” said Valentina Simon. “It can’t be that in 2018...they still do this type of thing.”
read more

No comments:

Post a Comment