Archbishop Says Catholic School Used Common Sense in Firing Gay Teacher

CENTER CITY - Philadelphia's Archbishop says Catholic school leaders who fired a married gay religion teacher show "character and common sense."

Archbishop Charles Chaput says the sisters of mercy and board members who run Waldron Mercy Academy are simply being "honest" about the church's teaching. The church opposes gay marriage.

Margie Winters says she lost her job last month as Waldron's religious instruction director even though she had disclosed her same-sex marriage in 2007.

Many parents are upset by her dismissal, but the principal Nell Stetser said the school recognizes the Archbishop's authority on religious teaching.

However, A Chaput spokesman says the archdiocese "did not influence" Waldron's decision.

See the full statement below:

"Schools describing themselves as Catholic take on the responsibility of teaching and witnessing the Catholic faith in a manner true to Catholic belief. There's nothing complicated or controversial in this. It's a simple matter of honesty.

I'm very grateful to the Religious Sisters of Mercy and to the principal and board members of Waldron Mercy for taking the steps to ensure that the Catholic faith is presented in a way fully in accord with the teaching of the Church. They've shown character and common sense at a moment when both seem to be uncommon."