Friday, June 18, 2010

I recently wrote a letter to our local newspaper which was published last Monday, June 7th. I wrote to The Messenger because I was disgusted with the hypocricy the Catholic Church used in their decision to fire a teacher over allegedly being an atheist- not true- when they continue to support priests and at least one bishop who went against all the teachings of Jesus and sexually assaulted kids and young people in their parishes.

Since then, I've spoken with the teacher's mother, Karen Nurre. She has shared with me how harshly her family is being judged over this situation and the struggles they have had. But she also said, "We will weather this storm." I applaud her courage and the way her family is coming together to support each other. If only the "family" of the church would respond that way when the most vulnerable members are being hurt.

Here is my letter:

The Des Moines Register reported how a Fort Dodge math teacher was fired from her job at St. Edmond Catholic School for “making atheist statements in a public forum,” which referred to information posted on her Facebook page. The teacher, Abby Nurre, was called into the office of Monsignor Kevin McCoy, where he handed her a letter informing her that she was being fired and barred her from the school grounds. The school board and the Iowa Catholic Conference tried unsuccessfully to deny her unemployment benefits “for being a member of an atheist website,” according to testimony by St. Edmond business manager Tim Hancock. He also said she had violated the principles of the Catholic church.

I find it interesting how swiftly and harshly this teacher was punished for beliefs which she stated she no longer holds. I am wondering where is the punishment for retired Bishop Laurence Soens, who was found credibly accused of sexually assaulting more than 20 boys. Does he not live out his retirement years through the support of the Catholic church? One might think that sexually assaulting teens was also a violation of the principles of the Catholic church. The diocese also continues to list Father Gerald Hartz, former St. Edmond superintendent, who was arrested in Carroll for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl and sued for assaulting an adult woman. The lawsuit was dropped on a technicality, but in it, the diocese admitted Father Hartz had had this problem before. Yet it seems mercy is being extended in this instance, as he is still a priest in good standing.

Certainly a private school has the right to insist on specific standards for their employees. But obviously some employees merit more grace than others, regardless of the charge against them.