Archbishop John J. Myers of the Archdiocese of Newark issued a letter yesterday in which he stood firmly behind a decision by Paramus Catholic High School to fire an employee who was discovered to be in a same-sex marriage, citing the “confusion and uncertainty” she posed to the moral formation of students at the school.

NorthJersey.com is reporting on the letter published yesterday in response to the case of Kate Drumgoole, 33, who filed a lawsuit against the school and its president, James P. Vail, in which she accuses the school of discriminating against her when she was fired for being in a same-sex marriage.

Drumgoole’s marriage to Jaclyn Vanore, 29, was made known to the public by Vanore’s estranged sister who posted pictures of the wedding to Facebook pages associated with the school and Vail’s personal account.

As part of her employment, Drumgoole signed a contract agreeing to abide by the tenets of the Catholic Church, which is why she was terminated when the marriage was discovered.

“When someone involved in Catholic education ministry offers a public counter-witness to Catholic teaching, he or she does not teach the Truth or further the mission of the Church,” the Archbishop said in his letter.

“Such actions can create confusion and uncertainty in the moral formation of the young people he or she encounters. When that happens, the Church must be free to take corrective steps to maintain the identity and the integrity of her mission. This right is protected by the United States Constitution as well as federal and state law.”

As usual, Drumgoole and her partner went to the press, which created a firestorm of sympathy for the women and led to demands by students, parents and alumni that she be reinstated; however, Archbishop Myers made it clear that this will not happen.

“It seems that many have equated, mistakenly, the Church’s position of welcoming sinners (for we are all sinners) with the notion that we accept teaching and lifestyles contrary to the principles of our faith that can create scandal in our Church. . . . For decades I have taught and written that the Church welcomes everyone and invites everyone to participate in the life of the Church to the degree that they honestly can, while sincerely respecting the teachings of the Church. The invitation to join in the life of the Church does not include an invitation to alter or redefine what the Church believes and teaches, nor is it an invitation to allow others to define the identity, mission and message of the Church.”

He concludes: “Even Jesus recognized that some people could not or would not accept His teaching. He was saddened when they walked away from Him, but He never altered His teaching. Nor shall we do so today.”