Michael Griffin, former teacher at Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Bensalem, Pa.

Michael Griffin taught Spanish and French at Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Bensalem, Pa., for 12 years.  On Friday, he was informed by the school’s headmaster that his impending marriage to his partner of over 10 years “contradicts the terms of his teaching contract.”.  SERIOUSLY.  It violates his contract to get married.  What kind of backwards, bull-shit contract is this?! 

Here is the message Griffin posted on his Facebook page.  “Today I applied for a marriage license since NJ now has marriage equality.”.  “After 12 years together I was excited to finally be able to marry my partner.  Because of that, I was fired from Holy Ghost Preparatory School today. I am an alumnus of the school and have taught there for 12 years. I feel hurt, saddened, betrayed and except for this post, am at a loss for words.”.  This is wrong no matter how you come at the situation.  

The school’s headmaster, Father James McCloskey, openly admitted that he let Griffin go because he was gay.  Here is what he had to say.  “At a meeting in my office yesterday, teacher Michael Griffin made clear that he obtained a license to marry his same sex partner.  Unfortunately, this decision contradicts the terms of his teaching contract at our school, which requires all faculty and staff to follow the teachings of the Church as a condition of their employment. In discussion with Mr. Griffin, he acknowledged that he was aware of this provision, yet he said that he intended to go ahead with the ceremony. Regretfully, we informed Mr. Griffin that we have no choice but to terminate his contract effective immediately.”.

Griffin told NBC that he believes he violated the following section from his contract:  “all teachers are expected to uphold lifestyles compatible with the moral teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.”.   Time for the Roman Catholic Church to re-examine their definitions of “morals”.

Because the school is a private organization, it is within their right to fire someone for any reason they choose.  It should also be noted that sexual orientation is not a protected class in Pennsylvania.