Ohio Teacher Says She Was Fired Over Pregnancy, Files Suit Against Catholic Archdiocese

The Republic ^ | 10/30/12 | AP

[marshmallow]

DAYTON, Ohio — An unmarried Catholic school teacher who said she was fired after telling her principal that she was pregnant is suing the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

It's the second lawsuit that's been filed in the last two years against archdiocese over the firing of a pregnant teacher.

Kathleen Quinlan, who taught first grade at Ascension Catholic School in Kettering in suburban Dayton, said she was told to resign or she would be fired, on the same day she told the school's principal in December 2011 that she was expecting. She said she had offered to take a behind-the-scenes job until she gave birth.

Quinlan, of Dayton, who later had twin girls, said in her lawsuit that she was given three days to clear out her classroom.

A termination letter said she was fired for violating a section of her employment contract that requires employees to "comply with and act consistently in accordance with the stated philosophy and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church," according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court .

Her attorney said that, "as a non-ministerial employee, (she) was not subject to a 'morality clause.'"

[ladyjane]

I wonder if she got pregnant using artificial insemination if she would be fired? IVF? What if she had aborted the twins?

[Mrs. Don-o]

In the case of practicing contraceptive sex --- if they advertise the fact, sure, they could be fired. E.g. sign a newspaper ad, talk about it in class, wear the Margaret Sanger Planned Barrenhood T-shirt. Then it becomes a "manifest," public issue.

However, no employer, not ever the Church, is going to keep their employees under surveillance to find out what they are doing in the privacy of their own home.

[Jeff Chandler]

I had a Health teacher in the mid-50s who was pregnant most of the school year.

That does happen but it's not typical. Most women in their mid-50s have already gone through menopause.

[Mrs. Don-o]

"I wonder if she got pregnant using artificial insemination if she would be fired? IVF? What if she had aborted the twins?"

If any of those things became public, and thus a "manifest" violation, yes, acording to the contract she signed, she could have --- and in my view, should have --- been fired..

[rollo tomasi]

Then I must say, those mormans are hardcore sons of guns!

[RobbyS]

Although one might ask: Is education a “secular” activity.”? I mean the state did not create any part of a single human being.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Reread the story.

Indeed you should.

[Jim from C-Town]

Indeed, you are correct. and yes I hate admitting that fact.

The other woman was fired for having a child via invitro fertilization.

[stuartcr]

You mean if it doesn’t work and she gets pregnant?

[stuartcr]

nice

Happy New Year

[stuartcr]

Thanks for the answer and pleasant holiday sentiments

Happy New Year

[stuartcr]

ok, does broadcast mean get pregnant or have the pharmacist attendant announce in the store that your birth control prescription is ready?

[stuartcr]

Would that be normal, do women talk about that stuff? Would you?

[slowhandluke]

I’ve no hesitation at all, she’s gone. Whether she broke the rules a little (non-married pregnancy) or a lot (abortion), she’s not a good role model for a Catholic school.

[stuartcr]

I don’t know

[stuartcr]

Do women normally do that stuff? Do you think she did?

[Cicero]

Yes, as I said, I’m a little hesitant about this—not arguing that the decision to fire her was wrong.

She committed a serious sin, and set a bad example for the children. It doesn’t really excuse her to point out that she could have doubled down and committed an even worse sin.

In the old days, before the Sexual Revolution, she would have been fired from a public school, let alone a Catholic school, because the first consideration was not to have teachers who set bad examples for the kids to imitate.

[freedomfiter2]

I was thinking more like she and her husband get caught using a condom in the school closet.

[stuartcr]

You have a vivid imagination

[narses]

+

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