Shoreline parents gather for same-sex teacher whose contract was not renewed
May 13, 2024, 12:54 PM
Exterior of St. Luke's Catholic School in Shoreline (Photo courtesy of 成人X站 7)
(Photo courtesy of 成人X站 7)
Parents rallied in Shoreline Monday morning as a community remains divided over a teacher鈥檚 contract not being renewed at St Luke鈥檚 Catholic School.
The teacher was told she would not be allowed to return to her teaching position after it was revealed that they had a same-sex partner.
Early Monday morning, as kids were dropped off at school, a number of parents gathered holding hands in a circle at one of the entryways to the church.
The group recited prayers and sang hymns and tried to show some level of unity regarding the issue of Karen Pala, whose contract is not being renewed.
Previous coverage on teacher: Catholic school teacher loses job because of her alleged sexual orientation
The parents are praying and hoping for peace and understanding.
But they also admit that it has been a tough time since kindergarten teacher Karen Pala told them she was being forced out after the church found out Pala was engaged to a woman.
Parents on both sides of the issue linked hands 鈥� and joined together, but opinions remain split.
Pilar Griffin was part of the group and gave her take on the teacher being told she would not be back.
鈥淲hen we teachers sign a contract we already know what are the teachings of the Catholic church, so we understand if you are not following those teachings. There is no covenant,鈥� said Griffin.
Lawyers for Pala said she will appeal the decision by St. Luke鈥檚 Father Brad to get rid of her over the same-sex relationship.
That appeal would be made to the archbishop, and some parents are already lobbying for her to return, including Michael Spadea, a parent with children at the Catholic school.
鈥淥ur ask is that archbishop reinstate her as a teacher and that going forward these decisions are not made on the basis of sexual orientation,鈥� Spadea said.
Whitney Hicks, also a Saint Luke鈥檚 parent, stood with Spadea and echoed his sentiments.
鈥淪he鈥檚 a beloved teacher at our school. She has done so much for our community. I think this is absolutely awful.鈥�
成人X站 7 obtained a letter from Father Brad which said:
鈥淧art of the pastor鈥檚 role is to determine whether a minister鈥檚 public life might not be in alignment with Church teaching,鈥� defending the dismissal of Pala.
Hicks does not agree.
鈥淭hose covenants are written broadly. Each parish interprets them differently. If you go to other parishes, like in Seattle, you鈥檒l find support for the LGBTQ community 鈥� this is one priest operating with authority,鈥� said Hicks.
While the situation appears to still be divisive – Pride flags adorn some fences right across from the school, showing where some residents stand. The prayer circle Monday morning was meant to foster peace and provide an example for students and parents concerned over losing a teacher.
Lara Bain is involved with a parent group that formed after discovering that Pala would not return.
The group is called LUKE, and she says the values of many in the community are simple: 鈥淲e believe in love, unity, kindness and equality — we support inclusivity.鈥�
