Those working in Catholic schools have always acknowledged the ethos and philosophy of the church and its education.
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They have respected the need to safeguard the quality of schooling and accepted a mutual responsibility to protect, develop and enhance Catholic education.
But with a new salary agreement in negotiation between the Independent Education Union and employers of Catholic schools, a controversial clause has emerged.
Though barely more than two lines long, the clause is loaded with implications and has instilled fear into Catholic school staff who believe their positions on gay rights, in vitro fertilisation, divorce, remarriage and abortion will come under scrutiny.
The union has gone so far as to say that – under the proposed ethos – employees who publicly reveal a same-sex relationship could face termination and that the disciplinary action could also extend to those who are divorced or remarried.
This clause is intrusive and unnecessary. The Catholic Church does not own the teachers and staff who work in its schools, nor does it govern their beliefs or private lives.
How, exactly, would a divorced person teach differently to a non-divorced individual? And, if a teacher were gay, how would that determine the level of commitment delivered to the role?
The Catholic Church prides itself on the importance of family, yet this new ethos could have implications for the careers of those who seek reproductive assistance to have a child.
This is nonsensical.
This controversial new ethos is archaic to say the least and needs to be removed to ease the unrest of teachers who have every right to embrace a lifestyle and adopt life choices most suited to them.
