An announcement sent to alumnae of St. Mary's Academy may draw the Portland Catholic girls' school into the national debate around religious freedom and same-sex marriage.
The message from St. Mary's President Christina Friedhoff says the school reversed a decision to hire an employee because of a same-sex marriage.
"We recently made the challenging decision to withdraw an offer of employment the school had made to an individual due to a conflict with current Catholic teachings regarding same-sex marriage," Friedhoff wrote.
The message emphasizes the school's connection to Catholicism, but appears to acknowledge the tension between changing public opinion on same-sex marriage, and positions held by Catholic doctrine.
The Catholic Sentinel newspaper reported late Tuesday that St. Mary's could face a lawsuit over the decision to rescind the job offer after the candidate "told school officials she planned to marry another woman."
The newspaper said Portland Archbishop Alexander Sample issued a statement of support for St. Mary's decision.
“We expect that given certain reassurances by the federal government in the wake of the recent Supreme Court ruling making ‘same-sex unions’ the law of the land, our religious liberty would be protected in this case as well as any future cases of this sort,” the archbishop said in a statement, according to the newspaper.
Students and graduates reacted swiftly, including in a public Facebook group for St. Mary's Academy alumnae. Someone identifying herself as a current student said she was "ashamed" to be attending the school. Several alumnae said they intended to stop donating to the school.
Others questioned the school's hiring policies if they place sexual orientation above job qualifications.
Friedhoff anticipated the backlash in her email.
"We understand that others may hold different values, and we respect the right of individuals in society to do so," Friedhoff writes in the email to alumnae. "At the same time, as a Catholic high school we are obligated to follow current Catholic teachings regarding same-sex marriage in our employment practices. The Board of Directors and our founders, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, support this decision."
Friedhoff's message pleas for unity, saying, "We all recognize that now more than ever, we need to come together as a community so that St. Mary's will continue to be a safe place for all young women."
But some students and alumnae reacting on Facebook took particular exception to the phrase "a safe place for all young women."
Some questioned if the school is suggesting that by not employing an openly gay employee, the school has improved campus safety.
The announcement acknowledges the likelihood of controversy and media scrutiny of the hiring decision, saying "this will be a difficult time for the St. Mary's community."
School leaders did not immediately responded to a request for further details on the hiring decision Tuesday night.
The full message appears below:
We recently made the challenging decision to withdraw an offer of employment the school had made to an individual due to a conflict with current Catholic teachings regarding same-sex marriage.
St. Mary's Academy is grounded in the Catholic religion. We ask that our faculty and staff support and nurture the Catholic identity, practice, culture and mission on which we were founded.
We understand that others may hold different values, and we respect the right of individuals in society to do so. At the same time, as a Catholic high school we are obligated to follow current Catholic teachings regarding same-sex marriage in our employment practices. The Board of Directors and our founders, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, support this decision.
This is not an easy situation. As with all matters of faith, we strive to live out the values of the Gospel while struggling with the complexities of today's world. On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Sisters of the Holy names of Jesus and Mary, I informed the faculty and staff today of this employment decision. Present at this gathering were the leadership of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary as well as Sister Linda Patrick '67. We all recognize that now more than ever, we need to come together as a community so that St. Mary's will continue to be a safe place for all young women. We are proud of the many accomplishments of all of our alumnae and your service back to your local communities.
You will probably read about this in the media and this will be a difficult time for the St. Mary's community. It was important to me that I reached out to you early, and I'll continue to keep you apprised of this situation as needed.
Thank you for your commitment to St. Mary's Academy. We ask for your prayers during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Chris
Christina Friedhoff
St. Mary's Academy President
