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Showing posts with the label Eastside Catholic

Judge refuses to toss suit against Catholic school that fired teacher for ‘marrying’ gay partner

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SEATTLE, WA , May 29, 2014  – A Washington judge last week denied a request by Eastside Catholic School and the Archdiocese of Seattle to dismiss a  discrimination lawsuit  filed by the school’s former vice principal, who was forced to resign in December for “ marrying ” his homosexual lover. Mark Zmuda sued Eastside Catholic in March, claiming the school violated its own discrimination policy in asking him to leave his job.  But the school has repeatedly pointed to the morality clause Zmuda and all diocesan employees have signed, agreeing to publicly uphold the teachings of the Catholic faith , which expressly forbid same-sex “marriage.” School and archdiocesan attorneys asked King County Superior Court Judge Catherine Shaffer to toss out the suit, arguing that the court had no jurisdiction to rule on the case without violating the school’s first amendment right to freedom of religion.   But in a decision issued Friday, Shaffer disagreed, writing, “The Federal and Supr

Catholic school reaffirms its Catholic identity amidst gay ‘marriage’ flap

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SAMMAMISH, WA , January 24, 2014  – The ongoing controversy surrounding homosexual teachers at a Seattle-area Catholic school has reached a climax on one point: The school will not rehire a vice principal who “married” his boyfriend. Eastside Catholic School 's Board of Trustees stood by its decision to fire Mark Zmuda at a parents meeting on Thursday night. “The Board stated that Mr. Zmuda has acknowledged he was aware of Catholic doctrine and further knew he was not in full compliance with his employment agreement,” the school said in a  statement . “Eastside Catholic will remain a Catholic school and will support the teachings of the Catholic Church .” The imbroglio had taken a new turn with the resignation of its president and CEO, Sister Mary Tracy, earlier in the week. “Sister Mary came to this decision after much prayer and reflection,” said a statement sent Tuesday to the Eastside Catholic community, according to a  Seattle Times  report. “For Sister Mar