US Catholic teachers union takes case to Rome

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19234936&BRD=2259&PAG=461&dept_id=455154&rfi=6

BY BRIAN JARVIS
STAFF WRITER
01/26/2008

Bruised by the Scranton Diocese’s decision to deny recognition of their organization, the teachers union is planning to appeal their case to the Vatican.


On Thursday, the diocese announced it would disregard the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers in favor of an employee relations program comprised of employee councils as well as grievance, health care and wage and benefit committees.

The announcement reached the public through the diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Light, in which Bishop Joseph Martino promised the new program would insure that all Catholic school employees are treated fairly.

But union representatives, who immediately responded with a press release of their own, claim it will do just the opposite by taking away their right to organize.

Union President Michael Milz said Friday they now plan to contact the Vatican’s ambassador to America, known as a papal nuncio, and inform him of the union’s disagreement with the decision.

From there, the appeal would travel to a tribunal in Rome, composed of bishops who have the authority to change a decision made by a local diocese, Milz said.

Though the union has already begun preparing their petition with the aid of a canon lawyer, it would likely take months to receive a response.

“We don’t expect any quick resolution to the issue, but we believe we’re right and the diocese is wrong, and we’re letting people know that as much as possible,” Milz said. “The only way to go after (Martino) is to appeal to the Vatican, which encompasses the entire governance of the church. We want Martino to rescind his decision and grant us the labor rights that the church promises. That’s our constant appeal.”

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