Lesbian Catholic School Teacher Petitions for Reinstatement

A Philadelphia area Catholic school teacher is disputing the decision by the school’s leadership to fire her based on her same-sex marriage.

Margie Winters who was the director of religious education at Waldron Mercy Academy in Merion, was fired on June 22 because of her admittance to being in a
same-sex marriage, although, according to ABC News, this was known to school officials upon her hiring.

Winters believes that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Center City played a role in her firing, although the Archdiocese claims that it left the decision up to the school’s leadership.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput issued a statement confirming the action taken by school officials in regard to Winters. "Schools describing themselves as Catholic take on the responsibility of teaching and witnessing the Catholic faith in a manner true to Catholic belief," Chaput stated, as reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer. "There's nothing complicated or controversial in this."

Many parents of children who attend the school, along with the organization Faithful America disagree with the Archbishop and have started a campaign to get Winters reinstated at Waldron.

23,000 people have signed a petition, protesting the firing of Winters and requesting the Archdiocese not to interfere with school staffing.

Winters and her supporters were told that the Archdiocese’s Center City Philadelphia offices were on lockdown on Monday when they attempted to present the Archbishop with the signed petition. The petition was given to a security guard to deliver to the Archbishop.