Archbishop Thompson, archdiocesan school superintendent address issues involving Brebeuf and Cathedral high schools
Criterion story by John Shaughnessy and Natalie Hoefer
Archbishop Charles C. Thompson looks on as Gina Fleming, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, speaks during a June 27 media gathering at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. (Photo by Sean Gallagher)
Noting that he tries to be “Christ‑centered” in every decision he makes, Archbishop Charles C. Thompson stressed two major points as he met with reporters on June 27.
The news gathering was to discuss the recent choices made by Cathedral High School and Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School concerning expectations of teachers, guidance counselors, administrators and other leaders in Catholic schools.
Both choices by the two Indianapolis private schools involved teachers in same‑sex marriages.
The schools’ choices were made in relation to the archdiocese’s requirement that all Catholic schools must state in their contracts that these “ministerial witnesses” must “convey and be supportive of all teachings of the Catholic Church,” including its teaching on the “dignity of marriage as one man and one woman.”
Making his first point, the archbishop said, “I should tell you, I’m from a big family. I’ve got dear family members, dear friends with same-sex attraction. So it’s as personal to me as it is to anyone. And they know I love them unconditionally. And they know I respect their dignity as a person.”
The second point focused on Church teaching on marriage.
While stressing that “one’s [sexual] orientation is not a sin,” the archbishop said the issue involving the two schools “is about public witness of Church teaching on the dignity of marriage as one man and one woman. That is our Church teaching.
“In this particular case we’re dealing with, those are ministers in our Church. Teachers, guidance counselors, other leaders, leaders of the schools and other leaders in the archdiocese are bound to live out these principles.”
On June 20, Brebeuf announced its decision to continue the employment of a teacher in a same-sex marriage—a choice that resulted in the archdiocese no longer recognizing the school as Catholic.
On June 23, Cathedral announced that it had rescinded the contract of a teacher in a same-sex marriage because of the contract’s morality clause.
The archbishop noted that in both situations involving the teachers, the archdiocese only responded when the situations were brought to its attention.
“This is not a witch hunt. We don’t go looking for these situations,” he said. “When they’re brought to my attention though, it is my responsibility, my duty to oversee the living of the faith, especially of all ministerial witnesses.
“Our first desire is how do we help reconcile the person’s situation with the Church’s teaching. When it comes to us that there’s a public situation that’s contrary to the Church’s teaching, that’s when we address it,” Archbishop Thompson continued. “We’re trying to address how to reconcile it in order to go forward. There come moments however when you can only accompany people so far before some sad, hard decisions have to be made.”
The archbishop shared these comments during a meeting with reporters inside SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Superintendent of Catholic schools Gina Fleming joined the archbishop in responding to questions.
Here are some of the major points made by Archbishop Thompson and Fleming:
The influence of Pope Francis.
Comments by Archbishop Thompson
“I’d like to point out that Pope Francis uses that wonderful word, ‘accompaniment.’ He’s given us some wonderful images to work with, and it’s the wonderful tone of the Church. But we have to understand accompaniment. Accompaniment implies movement. Pope Francis says you meet people where they are, but we don’t leave them there. We have to accompany them.
“We walk them more fully toward Christ. But I think sometimes people hear accompaniment as, ‘meet people where they are, and just accept them right there.’ We’re called to do more than that. Our society places great emphasis on tolerance. It’s kind of like, ‘live and let live.’ But Jesus calls us to more than tolerance. Jesus calls us to love. And love is sacrificial.
“Jesus says we have to sacrifice our own lives, sacrifice our own well‑being for the sake of the Gospel. So our goal is how do we lead people to Christ as best we can. These are difficult times. We’re navigating through some very challenging times for our Church and for our society.”
Responsibility and reconciliation.
Comments by Archbishop Thompson and Fleming
“First and foremost, it is my responsibility as archbishop to oversee Catholic identity throughout the archdiocese, of any entity. We engaged in a rather long relationship trying to accompany the schools toward reconciliation with these principles—especially this public witness of ministerial witnesses. Job descriptions for our teachers, for our guidance counselors—that process has been going on for two years.”
Fleming noted, “When someone is not living according to Church teaching, we do try to walk with them. We try to give them the information that they need in terms of the Church teaching, and then also spiritual guidance and direction, as well as opportunities to rectify their personal situation.”
Possible appeal by Brebeuf and whether Pope Francis would support the archbishop.
Comment by Archbishop Thompson
“I believe he does. Over the process of all this, I don’t do this without a great deal of prayer, discernment, dialogue, seeking consultation. And not just consultation within the archdiocese but much broader than that. I love Pope Francis. The Holy Father has spoken some wonderful, beautiful words about accompaniment, dialogue, encounter, acceptance, but he hasn’t changed the teachings on marriage. He hasn’t changed one aspect of Church teaching on marriage.”
His reaction to the prayer vigil by members of the Cathedral High School family that happened later on June 27.
Comment by Archbishop Thompson
“My understanding is they’re gathering to pray today, like a human chain to pray. Prayer is always good. I pray for everyone. I pray for people who are sharing their disappointment with me. People who encourage me, I pray for them. I pray for every school. I pray for every student. I pray for every parent. I pray for everyone gathered today. As I ask everywhere I go, I hope they pray for me.
“I tell people we have to always be open to the Holy Spirit. I ask people to pray for me so I’m listening to the Spirit. I have to listen to the Holy Spirit, not just for me, because I have the ultimate responsibility of being the teacher of the faith, preserving the integrity of the faith here in central and southern Indiana. It’s an awesome responsibility that I take very, very seriously. So I ask people to pray for me that I listen to the Holy Spirit, not just for me but the people
I serve.”
The basis of his decisions.
Comment by Archbishop Thompson
“Our decisions have to always be made, as I always try to say, to be Christ‑centered. We don’t make decisions based on finances. We don’t make decisions based on being popular or what is easy. … How do we remain Christ‑centered?”
Regarding ‘ministerial language.’
Comment by Gina Fleming
“It was actually four years ago under Archbishop [Joseph W.] Tobin when the ministerial language in contracts were first implemented in their current format.”
“This language was intended for two purposes. One was to first affirm the role of ministers of the faith as vital ministers in Church ministry. And the other was to ensure that we all had a common or shared language around our roles and responsibilities. So that was implemented in our archdiocesan schools four years ago.”
Timeline of Brebeuf/Cathedral issue.
Comment by Gina Fleming
“Two years ago, we began a conversation with all five of our private Catholic schools. The two that were struggling continued conversation with us.”
“It was through much prayerful discernment over the course of that two years, and really, much conversation on what it truly means to be ministers of the faith and how we would uphold that in our Catholic schools, that led to the schools to make their own decisions as to whether they would wish to retain that Catholic identity.”
Help for students with same-sex attraction.
Comment by Gina Fleming
“We know that we have students in our schools today who are struggling with their sexual identity, who are experiencing questions around their own sexual identity. We are doing research, we are holding conferences for teachers and school leaders to ensure that they understand what it means to walk beside these young people and to be there for them.”
