Fired counselor sues Omaha Catholic school (pregnant while unmarried)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10545920

Published Friday January 23, 2009
Fired counselor sues Omaha Catholic school
BY CHRISTOPHER BURBACH

A woman who was fired from her job as a Catholic grade school guidance counselor after she became pregnant while unmarried is suing the school and parish, alleging discrimination based on her pregnancy, marital status and age.

Tracy E. McGinnis, 42, says she was fired in January 2008 from Christ the King School in Omaha because she was pregnant and unmarried. She said she was fired after she failed to meet what she considered impossible conditions in an ultimatum letter — that she produce documents proving she was married before the letter was issued.

Parish officials admit firing McGinnis and issuing the letter, according to court filings. But they say it was “for legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons; namely, that (McGinnis) engaged in conduct which reflected grave discredit upon (the) parish and school community.”

A Christ the King teacher who at the same time was also unwed and pregnant got married and kept her job.

“We have one person who got married, and one person who didn’t,” said Aaron Smeall, McGinnis’ lawyer. “The one who didn’t got fired.”

It wasn’t becoming pregnant while unmarried that led to McGinnis’ firing, but her response to school and parish officials once she had revealed the pregnancy, said Pat Flood, an attorney for the Archdiocese of Omaha who is representing Christ the King in the lawsuit.

FULL story at link.

[Ichingcarpenter]

1. She should have had an abortion then they wouldn't have known

Just kidding, but you see how hypocritical the whole thing is.

[willing dwarf]

2. The hypocrisy seems clear

teachers and staff at a religious school are expected to live by the precepts of the religious organization that hired them. Just as the Quakers wouldn't hire security guards who rough up juveniles who are out of line or who carried a gun, neither would a Catholic School go for having a role model be someone who is having sexual relations outside of a marriage if sexual relations are considered to be for reproductive purposes only.

If the school wanted to maintain their integrity as being pro-life however, they should give the person a different job where she wouldn't be punished for her pregnancy but also wouldn't be connected to children.

But considering that this is the work of the same church that has allowed far worse actors, pedophile priests, full exposure (and then some) to innocent children without any concern or restraint, it is sadly ironic, and utterly hypocritical to claim that they are concerned about children being exposed to a woman whose sin is clear by having sex outside of marriage. If she'd had an abortion, her sin would be hidden, like the pedophile priests, and therefore, it would seem, more acceptable.

I am so tired of the sinfulness and hypocrisy of the church!

[MichiganVote]

3. Immaculate Conception...its the only thing...miracles, burning bush..need it all

[DevonRex]

4. Amazing that the Catholic Church fires people who don't have abortions, isn't it?

And they don't let pregnant girls be in their graduation ceremonies, either. Seems to me they're teaching people that you must have an abortion or else.

[Crunchy Frog]

5. Would they have been happier if she'd had an abortion?

[ezgoingrl]

6. Yeah, I wanna know if

they also fire men who become or are who about to become fathers outside of marriage. Just another way to make women punching bags for having sex. Shouldn't do that, ya know. Bad. Bad!

[no_hypocrisy]

7. Sounds like they would have fired the Holy Mother under her circumstances..