It seems strange to think that, in this day and age, an unwed pregnant woman could be fired simply for being unwed and pregnant, but that's exactly what happened to a teacher in Pennsylvania.
Though she would have preferred to keep her job, high school teacher Naiad Reich understands why she was fired. Reich, who lives with her boyfriend and doesn't plan on getting married any time soon, is having a baby. This violates the morality code at the Catholic private school, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School, in Coal Township, Pennsylvania, where Reich taught English and creative writing.
Reich told CBS Philly that she understands the school's point of view, saying:
"This is their beliefs and their moral code and what they live by and I understand that. Though I don't agree with it, I understand."
Unmarried Pennsylvania Teacher Fired Over Pregnancy At Catholic Schoolwww.youtube.com
Reich seems to have come to terms with her dismissal, but not everyone on social media understands the decision.
@cleveland19news Lol. The catholics have so much room to talk.— Rock the Kasvot 🐠🌲👽🌲 (@Rock the Kasvot 🐠🌲👽🌲) 1544025847.0
@cleveland19news I guess the fact that she didn't have an abortion carries no weight...what a sham. Churches, all c… https://t.co/9h2zxX1ASy— Mary Mac Bakehouse (@Mary Mac Bakehouse) 1544025117.0
@CBS6 Huh, that settles that then. I vaguely seem to remember that Mary and Joseph weren't exactly married either.… https://t.co/G765BL87F9— Marion Schuller (@Marion Schuller) 1544030861.0
Others felt the school was within their rights to act upon their own beliefs.
Why do people apply for jobs at faith based schools, sign contracts that include a religious morality clause & the… https://t.co/3Nyj2iO2dU— Dee (@Dee) 1544034465.0
@cleveland19news Yea that's their rule, no fun without their blessings.— B-Love (@B-Love) 1544023707.0
James Martin, a Jesuit priest, made this interesting point, which started a whole new discussion.
As ever, morality clauses in Catholic schools seem to mean only sexual morality. Are the teachers in this school wh… https://t.co/LARH7vvqF7— James Martin, SJ (@James Martin, SJ) 1544016391.0
@JamesMartinSJ As a catholic and a mom I don’t believe this is teaching our children to “love one another as I have loved you”.— shemama (@shemama) 1544016709.0
@JamesMartinSJ This is a public act by a teacher. How will you know some one doesn’t give to charity? Search tax re… https://t.co/sU2xyVPBh3— The Frank Friar (@The Frank Friar) 1544019662.0
@JamesMartinSJ The church is obsessed with what people do behind closed doors. Time to come out of the dark ages… https://t.co/52jHKQnILu— ❄️YEGSnowflake❄️ (@❄️YEGSnowflake❄️) 1544023256.0
Maybe the simplest answer is that, if the sins are hidden, the sinners get a pass.