Marchers seek change to Catholic teacher contract

About 60 people gathered Tuesday on Fountain Square to protest new language in the Cincinnati archdiocese's teacher contract.

They walked to the archdiocese offices on East Eighth Street, they said, to hand-deliver petitions – including an online version initiated locally – with more than 24,000 signatures.

The contract, which all teachers in the 19-county archdiocesan school system are required to sign for the 2014-15 school year, includes so-called morality clauses that are more detailed and restrictive than in past teacher contracts.

The contract for the first time spells out that archdiocesan teachers are not allowed to support publicly behavior that is in contrast to Roman Catholic teachings on gay "lifestyles," out-of-wedlock relationships, abortions and certain fertility methods.

Some participants in the "March to Fix the Contract," however, feel alienated. They said the restrictions don't jibe with their own views as Catholics.

"They aren't listening to all Catholics," said Tom Flautt of Anderson Township. "They're only listening to a small group."

He thinks the contract is a thinly veiled attempt to shield the archdiocese from potential lawsuits – if, for example, a teacher is fired because of his or her personal beliefs.

"The whole thing is about money," said Flautt. "This contract is an attempt to keep them from having to pay for improper labor actions."

The march drew a mix of parents, students, former teachers and others who support their cause.

Mary Lee Busam of Westwood held a sign stating, "I am a Grammy. Fix the contract."

She has 17 grandchildren, all old enough to attend Catholic school. She doesn't like the restrictions that the contract puts on their teachers.

"I'm here to support teachers who can't support themselves. It's such an obvious injustice," she said. "You can't take away people's right to free speech."

She said many teachers won't publicly oppose the contact for fear of losing their jobs.

Former Catholic schoolteacher Martha Bruun of Hyde Park thinks teachers will feel pressured to sign something they don't believe in.

"I feel the contract has to be changed," she said. "People shouldn't have to sign something when they feel intimidated."

More than 1,000 people have signed an online petition at Change.org asking the archdiocese to alter the contract. Protesters also pointed to a national petition with 23,000 signatures created by Faithful America and supported by MoveOn.org. It states Catholic teachers should not be fired for supporting gays and lesbians.

So far, archdiocesan officials have not been swayed. They earlier told The Enquirer they have no plans to change the contract, which they say is not as restrictive as opponents contend.

Many marchers acknowledged that their efforts Tuesday probably won't have immediate results.

But they want to make sure their voices continue to be heard in hopes it might change minds down the road. ■