An Iowa Catholic School Board Acts Responsibly

Hilary White of LifeSiteNews has posted an article titled, "Iowa Catholic School Board Upholds Catholic Identity - Accepts Resignation of Divorced and Remarried Teacher."

Hilary rightly notes that

Catholic teaching does not recognise civil divorce as dissolving a marriage, and considers that a person who remarries without a declaration of nullity...from the Church is committing adultery.

The story, which can also be read on the Des Moines Register web site (here), notes that the school board had originally declined in July to accept the the resignation of Tom Girsch, age 59, a Catholic who has been a longtime social studies teacher and coach at the high school.

The news report states that school officials, having discovered that Girsch had remarried after being divorced, asked him to resign. Of course, this was precisely what needed to be done in order to prevent scandal and to avoid setting a bad example for students, parents and others. The article is unclear, however, when the civil remarriage, which happened last August, became known and how much time elapsed before the resignation request was made. Nevertheless, his resignation should have been forthcoming without having to asked, if he chose to live in an adulterous relationship.

A board member, Tim Kneeland, is quoted as saying, "On July 12, we voted with our heart." Unfortunately, such a statement displays a distorted sense of compassion or charity. True charity and compassion would exhibit a concern with the salvation of another's eternal soul rather than with one's earthly comfort.

With respect to Girsch's remarriage and his status with the school, the Waterloo Courier reports that:

When school officials told Girsch this was grounds for immediate dismissal, he hired [Attorney Mark] Zaiger and an amended contract was negotiated. That contract required Girsch to initiate the annulment process and to submit his resignation if it was denied. The CVCS board would decide whether to accept his resignation, according to the contract.

Fortunately, as the subsequent unaminous 12-0 vote indicates, a Catholic "identity" and fidelity to the teachings of the Church are matters which the board members appear to value, having been reminded of their obligations by the Archbishop.

As the board prepared to reconsider that decision Monday, they heard from Archbishop Jerome Hanus through a letter read by Jeff Henderson, the archdiocese superintendent of schools.

Hanus declared the "sacredness and indissolubility of Christian marriage" in the letter. "Teachers play a key role in the teaching of the faith," Henderson read, both through their instruction and how they live. The board is required by its constitution to be in agreement with Catholic doctrine, the letter said.

Henderson read that the board "has attempted to act contrary to" church doctrine, jeopardizing the school system's Catholic identity. "This is unacceptable and requires correction by the CVCS board," he read.

It's sad that, after 32 years teaching at the school, Girsch chose the path he did. Certainly, one can sympathize with his desire for love and companionship in marriage. But one must always strive to do that which is in accord with the will of God, as revealed in the teachings of our Lord and of His Church - despite how one feels.

The board members did the right thing, even if they needed a bit of coercing. All should pray for them and for the teacher - and for Archbishop Jerome Hanus who exercised authentic pastoral care for his flock.