Teachers in Oakland Catholic Schools Forced to Sign New Personal 'Morals' Code

[Newsjock]

Source: East Bay Express

Every spring, teachers in private Catholic schools throughout the East Bay must sign a new contract for the following academic year. That's because K-12 educators within the Diocese of Oakland do not have tenure, meaning their employment contracts expire annually. Typically, the contract renewal process happens with little fanfare — but this year was a different story. In a March 15 letter to employees, Michael Barber, who became bishop of the Oakland Diocese last year, announced that Catholic schools would be adding new language to the 2014-15 contract "spelling out the mission of a Catholic educator."

... But it's the sweeping new language in the "duties" section of the contract that is creating the most controversy — in large part because it references expectations for teachers' behavior in their personal lives.

It states: "Employee acknowledges that the school operates within the philosophy of Catholic education and retains the right to employ individuals who demonstrate an ability to serve in accordance with that philosophy. In both the employee's personal and professional life, the employee is expected to model and promote behavior in conformity with the teaching of the Roman Catholic faith in matters of faith and morals, and to do nothing that tends to bring discredit to the school or to the Diocese of Oakland."

... This rewritten contract, which teachers were required to sign last week, has sparked criticism from some school employees and progressive Catholic groups who say they fear school administrators and diocesan leadership could use the morality language as a weapon to target those who don't conform to certain traditions or teachings. It's of particular concern for openly LGBT employees and non-Catholic teachers who could potentially be in violation of the contract due to their sexual orientation or their political actions.

Read more: http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/teachers-forced-to-sign-new-personal-morals-code/Content?oid=3913719

[auntsue]

1. Once upon a time I was a good catholic girl

I endured 14 years of catholic school. I gradually came to my senses and am now a "recovering catholic". When you are a "practicing catholic", they own you - mind body and soul. I am not surprised that they would institute such a policy. In the official teaching, in the catechism, "homosexuals are called to live in celibacy"....... as all unmarried people.

I am an unrepentant lesbian -- I would never even consider working for any catholic institution - ever.

[gopiscrap]

3. Good for you!

[yeoman6987]

4. The only moral paper that they should be required to sign would be to not date the students

and that includes sex of any kind with any student. That goes for the public school too. Other than that, nothing should be signed. Even a Catholic School Teacher who does porn on the side should not be held in contempt as long as they make it to work on time everyday and teaches to the appropriate level that all teachers do. That is my opinion only of course.

[niyad]

2. too bad the pedophile priests never had to sign such a contract

[alp227]

5. I think these moral clauses are a great recruiting tool for secular humanism,

for showing religion for the authoritarian institution it is. While I would never work for such a school, I'd not support discrimination/wrongful termination lawsuit against policy like this.