An openly gay teacher at a Pennsylvania Catholic school was fired after applying for a same-sex marriage license.
Michael Griffin, a teacher at Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Bensalem, Pa., for 12 years, has been with his partner for the same number of years. On Friday the Mount Laurel, N.J., resident applied for a same-sex marriage license and was fired on the same day, he said in a Facebook post.
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'After 12 years together I was excited to finally be able to marry my partner. Because of that, I was fired,' he said. 'I feel hurt, saddened, betrayed and except for this post, am at a loss for words.'
Griffin, an alumnus of the Catholic school, told Philadelphia TV station NBC10 that the school knew he was gay and his partner had attended many school functions. He said he was blindsided by his firing.
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The school's headmaster, Fr. James McCloskey, told the station that Griffin violated his contract and the school's policy by obtaining the license.
'Unfortunately, this decision contradicts the terms of his teaching contract at our school, which requires all faculty and staff to follow the teachings of the Church as a condition of their employment,' he told NBC10 in a statement. 'In discussion with Mr. Griffin, he acknowledged that he was aware of this provision, yet he said that he intended to go ahead with the ceremony. Regretfully, we informed Mr. Griffin that we have no choice but to terminate his contract effective immediately.'
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McCloskey did not return a request for comment from the Daily News. But he did tell the station, 'Although, the school welcomes teachers from other denominations and recognizes their rights to religious freedom, as employees of a Catholic institution, all teachers are expected to uphold lifestyles compatible with the moral teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.'
Griffin also could not be reached for comment, but seems not to be holding a grudge against the school. He said in a Facebook post Saturday he has tried to make the school's mission and philosophy his personal life's philosophy.
'Holy Ghost helped form me to be the person that I am today,' he said. 'I am trying to move forward with a peaceful heart and wish nothing but the best to my colleagues and students who mean the world to me.'
Holy Ghost's motto is 'One Heart and One Mind,' according to the school's website. That includes 'the total educational experience: diversity in thought, openness to new possibilities, impetus for change and service to the poor in the spirit of the Gospel.'
jlandau@nydailynews.com Follow on Twitter @joelzlandau
Posted by Unknown on Sunday, December 8, 2013 - Rating: 4.5
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