Philly-Area Catholic School Sets Meeting to Discuss Lesbian Teacher's Firing

The principal of Waldron Mercy Academy in Merion, Pa., will hold a meeting in September with parents, faculty, and staff to discuss the firing of Margie Winters, the director of religious education who was let go because she is in a same-sex marriage.

Winters's dismissal from the Catholic school "continues to cause a great deal of pain and heartfelt questioning," principal Nell Stetser said in a Monday statement to Philadelphia newspaper The Inquirer.

Winters, who was well-regarded at the school, had been married to Andrea Vettori during her entire eight-year tenure there. Administrators were aware of the relationship but told Winters to be discreet about it, which she was. But after some parents learned of Winters's marriage and complained to school officials and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, she was fired in June, with Waldron leaders saying her continued employment could jeopardize the school's Catholic identity.

The incident is one of many in which staff members at Catholic schools and churches have been let go because of their same-sex marriages.

Stetser told The Inquirer she wants to explain the situation to the Waldron community, and she plans to schedule another meeting afterward. Parents have held meetings and vigils to protest Winters's firing and call for her reinstatement, and have delivered a petition to the archdiocesan office. Winters's wife has also written to Pope Francis on her behalf, and they and other LGBT Catholics hope to meet with him when he visits Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families in September.