Indianapolis Jesuit School Refuses Order From Archbishop To Fire Teacher In Same-Sex Marriage

A Jesuit high school has defied an Archbishop’s demand the school fire a teacher that is currently in a same-sex marriage.

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis, Indiana, had previously been asked by Archbishop Charles Thompson to fire a teacher that was found to be in a same-sex marriage. However, the school decided to outright defy the Archbishop’s order, choosing to keep the teacher employed.

“Brebeuf Jesuit has respectfully declined the Archdiocese’s insistence and directive that we dismiss a highly capable and qualified teacher due to the teacher being a spouse within a civilly-recognized same-sex marriage,” the school wrote in a statement on the school’s website. Rev. Brian Paulson, head of the Midwest Province of Jesuits, also said that the teacher does not teach any religion classes and “is a longtime valued employee of the school.”

In response to Brebeuf’s decision, the Archbishop issued a decree on Friday that the school cannot refer to itself as “Catholic” going forward. This means that the Archdiocese of Indiana will not recognize the school as a Catholic institution under its umbrella.

“To effectively bear witness to Christ, whether they teach religion or not, all ministers in their professional and private lives must convey and be supportive of Catholic Church teaching,” the Archdiocese said in a statement on Tuesday.

“To our knowledge, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis' direct insertion into an employment matter of a school governed by a religious order is unprecedented,” Brebeuf President Rev. William Verbryke said in a letter regarding the decision.

Rev. Paulson announced that the Jesuits would seek to appeal the decision to regain its recognition under the Archdiocese. They first plan to appeal it directly to Thompson, but will take it to the Vatican if necessary.