Now Columbus: Diocese adds to morality clauses to teacher contracts

These new contracts have now been announced for Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus in Ohio and in at least one diocese in California.

The Columbus Dispatch
Diocese adds to morality guidelines
By JoAnne Viviano
Thursday June 5, 2014 8:13 AM

Employees of Catholic schools, churches and other organizations overseen by the Diocese of Columbus are being asked to sign updated agreements that include examples of immoral conduct that could lead to their firing.

The changes also specify that workers must abide by Catholic Church teachings “both within and outside their employment duties” and regardless of their religious affiliation...

...“These in no way alter or modify the original intent of these policies,” the diocese said in a statement. “Catholic institutions should inherently reflect Catholic teachings. While our diocese is open to staff, faculty and students of many faiths and beliefs, it is entirely appropriate and necessary that these institutions, and the employees who serve within them, strive to respect these teachings as set forth in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.”

The changes come less than a year after the diocese reached a private settlement with physical-education teacher Carla Hale, who was fired after she acknowledged her same-sex partner in a newspaper obituary.

Yeah, there's the spirit. Fire a teacher after 19 years because she mentioned her partner in her mother's obituary. Here's a link to the Carla Hale story: http://www.nbc4i.com/story/23148165/fired-bishop-watterson-teacher-carla-hale-reaches-agreement-with-diocese