Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Cleveland Diocese Expands Teacher Morality Clauses

The Cleveland Catholic Diocese has joined its counterpart in Cincinnati in requiring its elementary school teachers to sign controversial employment contracts. 

M.L. Schultze of membger station WKSU in Kent reports.

Diocesan spokesman Robert Tayek says the new contracts are simply more specific on what the church considers to be moral behavior. The clause’s ban includes publicly stating views contrary to church positions on issues such as same-sex marriage, abortion and in-vitro fertilization. 

The teachers are also referred to as “teacher-ministers.” Tayek says that reflects their role as educators in both secular and religious subjects. He says clarification of existing morality clauses will help protect the diocese in legal cases.

This was brought about because there have been lawsuits in other dioceses in Ohio and as well as across the country where clarification was really necessary so it wouldn’t be subject to a broad interpretation.”

Tayek says those who refuse to sign the contract would no longer be able to teach, but he does not believe it will be an issue. A similar contract change in Cincinnati sparked a protest and petitions against the change, but the diocese is holding fast.

The Statehouse News Bureau was founded in 1980 to provide educational, comprehensive coverage of legislation, elections, issues and other activities surrounding the Statehouse to Ohio's public radio and television stations. To this day, the Bureau remains the only broadcast outlet dedicated to in-depth coverage of state government news and topics of statewide interest. The Bureau is funded througheTech Ohio, and is managed by ideastream. The reporters at the Bureau follow the concerns of the citizens and voters of Ohio, as well as the actions of the Governor, the Ohio General Assembly, the Ohio Supreme Court, and other elected officials. We strive to cover statehouse news, government issues, Ohio politics, and concerns of business, culture and the arts with balance and fairness, and work to present diverse voices and points of view from the Statehouse and throughout Ohio. The three award-winning journalists at the bureau have more than 60 combined years of radio and television experience. They can be heard on National Public Radio and are regular contributors to Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Marketplace. Every weekday, the Statehouse News Bureau produces in-depth news reports forOhio's public radio stations. Those stories are also available on this website, either on the front page or in our archives. Weekly, the Statehouse News Bureau produces a television show from our studios in the Statehouse. The State of Ohio is an unique blend of news, interviews, talk and analysis, and is broadcast on Ohio's public television stations. The Statehouse News Bureau also produces special programming throughout the year, including the Governor's annual State of the State address to the Ohio General Assembly and a five-part year-end review.
Related Content