Jul 4 Sacramento
sacramento
Catholic School Teacher Fired for Planned Parenthood Work
FOX40
Published: October 18, 2005

SACRAMENTO—Some students don’t know what to make of popular drama teacher Marie Bain’s dismissal from her job at Loretto High School.

She was fired from the all girls school by Bishop William Wiegand after a parent sent in a picture of her escorting clients into a Planned Parenthood medical clinic.

‘It’s very disappointing,” said Katharyn McLearan of Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood says Bain volunteered once a week to help clients past abortion protestors who picketed here several times a week.

“It’s very daunting to have people yelling at you and she was here to be a friendly face. She would wear a planned parenthood vest, just really welcome them in,” said McLearan.

But, Bishop Wiegand’s dismissal order said that Bain’s, “public participation in the procurement of abortions is morally inappropriate and unacceptable.”

“We can’t have it,” said Dom Puglisi, Catholic Schools superintendent.

Puglisi says teachers can hold private beliefs, but their public actions can’t conflict with the teachings of the church.

“Parents have made a commitment to send their children to a catholic school so they have certain expectations on us,” said Puglisi.

Bain’s performance in the classroom was never in question. She got high marks for being a dynamic and passionate teacher.”

A Loretto sophomore says weighing the actions of a popular teacher when they conflict with religious beliefs can be tough for many students,"you don’t want to go against your faith, but then there’s someone you really like and so it’s hard, you don’t know what to do.”

Bishop Wiegand asked that Bain’s dismissal be handled with dignity and sensitivity, but wanted it done quickly. 

Reader's Comments
"Catholics are so closed minded and don't accept what others believe in and force the non-believers to think that they are horrible people and want to “save them”. I went to a Catholic school in Sacramento yet they didn’t force these kinds of things on us. Teachers taught us about caring for others at a time of need and that's exactly what this teacher was doing. She MAY have believed in abortion but that doesn't mean she was forcing her belief onto her students. Go mind your own business."
-> Posted by Carin / May 21, 2008
"I am a Catholic and I can't help but feel sorry for the teacher. What is so wrong about helping someone through a rough time? Who knows if she advocated to save the baby? She might have just gotten her inside to talk with her about options and that she should probably keep the baby. But no one wants to think about what she was actually doing, but wants to just jump to a conclusion! Just another school jumping the gun."
-> Posted by Cat / Jan 16, 2008
""If there was a contract and language in the contract specified that teachers had to live in harmony with Church teachings, then the teacher has no recourse. ."
It is written not just in the contract but repeatedly in the Application. As a private, faith-based entity, the Catholic church has the legal right to make this decision. She failed to reveal this past to those hiring AND stated she would repeat this action willingly. BTW, the policy is based on church doctrine, not on a poll."
-> Posted by Franclyn / Jul 17, 2007
"This is very sad to hear, there are so few indaviduals who are willing help and support young girls and their families in decisions such as these. My heart goes out to Marie Bain."
-> Posted by Alison DeGrazzio / Jul 09, 2007
"I take issue with those who claim the teacher should not have been fired for things she did before being eployed; she signed on as a "Catholic" teacher; those who support abortion mills in murdering the helpless unborn have separated themselves from the Catholic Church -- unless and until they repent. What is lacking here is any discussion as to whether this had, in fact, taken place. A good Confession would have taken this away."
-> Posted by MaryKathryn, hermit / Nov 08, 2005
"Firing Ms. Bain, expelling Miss Sills - the passion in support and opposition of both parties is admirable and must be respected.

Victims of clergy abuse have paved the wave for the protections of children in the future -- why isn't there the same public passion against the molestation of precious children? Do Catholics fear public ridicule similar to these postings?"
-> Posted by Debby Bodkin / Nov 07, 2005
"Wiegand's decision to terminate Ms. Bain has set a serious precedent for all Catholic employees. Does this mean any Catholic employee can now be fired for something that has occurred in the past?

This is the culture that allow children to be sexually abused, without corrective action."
-> Posted by Debby Bodkin / Nov 07, 2005
"It Doesnt matter what people think to be true, what matters is the Truth. Abortion is Murder! even if 74% of Catholics dont think so, they are poorly educated. I can remeber a time in the USA when ppl called Black ppl SubHuman. know they Say babies arent human."
-> Posted by gabe Sanchez / Nov 07, 2005
"These Parents Pay very good money to send there Children to the Best Catholic Education they could have. So they have the right to tell someone that they are not living in the example of how a good Catholic to live. I wouldnt hire someone to be my nanny if they would go out at night and kill innocent victims."
-> Posted by David Marquez / Nov 07, 2005
"Bravo for firing a woman giving grave scandal and helping murder babies. But shame on the Sisters of Loretto for then throwing the girl who blew the whistle out of school. They are giving grave scandal themselves by this evil deed."
-> Posted by Mary Kathryn / Nov 03, 2005
"Catholics do have the right to participate in this and any debate -- it is called freedom of press, speech and opinion.

If we don't teach our children to respect those freedoms, then our society will never be free from hate crimes and judgment by those Catholics who believe somehow, they possess some type of superior standing because they are Catholic."
-> Posted by Debby Bodkin / Nov 03, 2005
"Catholics have no standing in this debate. Neither do putative Catholics responding to CFC polling. Catholics believe in an objective morality; few non-Catholics do. So we send our kids to Catholic school. I don't want abortion advocated to my daughter, that simple."
-> Posted by Kelly / Nov 03, 2005
"The Catholic church would be out of business and disolved if it were treated as any other business enterprise in the United
States. The child molestation issues should have totally bankrupted this organization years ago. Anyone who still has faith should repent and go elsewhere for religious satisfaction. This is just another example."
-> Posted by Krap / Oct 27, 2005
"Amen, Ms. Bodkin. Amen"
-> Posted by Val / Oct 24, 2005
"As Americans, we must take moral and legal responsibility for acts that violate the civil rights of others.

A teacher in a Catholic school, who volunteered for Planned Parenthood, BEFORE employment, did not violate any laws of our country or the Catholic Church.

Any parent who runs around a campus showing pictures of a teacher with intent to lead a "WITCH HUNT", has committed a crime. Children should not have to witness this type of HATE on a school campus."
-> Posted by Debby Bodkin / Oct 22, 2005
"In China women are forced to have abortions, and free speech is banned.

When I worked for the State of CA in Civil Rights, I was castigated for visiting the Simon Weisenthal Center for Religious Tolerance. All Catholic websites were banned.
Specious arguments about "freedom of speech" ring hollow when those who cite them fail to mention the rights of women to speak out for the right to life in their own church and school.

I guess that's what you call "freedom", Mr Stalin."
-> Posted by Lissa / Oct 22, 2005
"Okay ted,
1.She was terminated for something she did PRIOR to her employment by the diocese.
2.It is unclear what her offending actions were. She used to be a volunteer in a place that, among other things, performs abortions.
3.Never been Catholic, but I went to a Catholic school long enough to assure you that the most cold hearted people I have ever known have been Catholic priests."
-> Posted by Toby in Sacto / Oct 21, 2005
"Can someone tell me if Ms. Bain was terminated from Loretto HS for her association with Planned Parenthood BEFORE she was hired as an employee OR was she terminated because of her letter to a Sacramento paper in opposition to Prop. 73?

Either way, what happened to the guaranteed freedoms of speech, press and opinion -- do they still exist in Sacramento?"
-> Posted by Debby Bodkin / Oct 21, 2005
"There is nothing in current law that denies parents the right to talk to their teens. And most parents work hard to communicate with their sons and daughters every single day.
But there is ABSOLUTELY nothing in Prop. 73 that guarantees parents that their teens will talk to them. Prop. 73 is an empty initiative that promises parents that their teens will be safe, but in the end delivers nothing. The irony is it does the opposite -- it harms teens."
-> Posted by Val / Oct 21, 2005
"Also, pregnant teens should be encouraged when and where practical to deliver the child and give it up for adoption. Obviously, very young girls who would be substantially harmed by bringing a baby to full term should be allowed to abort rather than be physically harmed, perhaps for the rest of their young lives. But comon sense is not so common any more."
-> Posted by Arnoldstein'sRINO / Oct 21, 2005
"The most important reason to vote "yes" on Prop 73 is simply because parents must sign off on every other medical procedure their minor children undergo. Abortion should be no exception, except in the cases of incest and suspected child abuse. Then, Family Court Judges should be able to intervene for the minor girl."
-> Posted by Arnoldstein'sRINO / Oct 21, 2005
"Taking away a parent's ability to make decisions affecting their children is immoral when done without proper reasons. Something of this magnitude must involve the parents. And there is a process in Prop 73 to bypass dysfunctional families. How deep do you want the government into personal family issues?!?! This isn’t a whole lot better than what occurs is China."
-> Posted by Andrew / Oct 21, 2005
"1) None of those beating Bishop Wiegand with the pedophile canard have given any rational argument defending Ms. Bain's actions.
2) The only arguments in favor of Mrs. Bain's actions have come from pro-abortion zealots and are anything but rational. This goes double for the arguments against Prop. 73.
3) To those who claim to have left the Church over things like this: I believe you never really accepted the teachings of the Church and/or never lived by them. This is just a lame excuse."
-> Posted by Ted M. in Reno / Oct 21, 2005
"PLEASE READ!. The activity occurred BEFORE Ms. Bain was hired by the Sacramento Diocese and BEFORE she signed a contract.

In my opinion, NO contract can hold Ms. Bain to standards BEFORE she was hired by the Sacramento Diocese.

If the Church is allowed to intimidate and fire employees, parents, students and members illegally and whenever a rich and powerful parent leads a WITCH HUNT, the Catholic Church is in bigger trouble than we ever realized."
-> Posted by info@catholics4justice.com / Oct 19, 2005
"And what about girls who CAN'T talk to their parents because they would be kicked out or worse. Do we really believe she's going to wade through a crowded judicial system and appear personally in court? And do we want to put her in a position of having to reveal the most intimate details of her life to a roomful of strangers?

I'm voting against Prop. 73 because not all teens live in a Brady Bunch word, but all teens deserve to be safe."
-> Posted by Val / Oct 19, 2005
"I'm a parent who wants to be involved in my teens lives but I'm voting NO on Prop. 73.

The government can't mandate families to talk to each other. As a parent it's my responsibility to talk to my kids about all things concerning sex including abstinence. But if for some reason they can't or won't come to me, I'm not going to jeopardize their safety for my "right to know." That's why I'm voting NO."
-> Posted by Val / Oct 19, 2005
"The Devil is in the details. If there was a contract and language in the contract specified that teachers had to live in harmony with Church teachings, then the teacher has no recourse. However, if keeping church standards was only an oral agreement, then the Church will lose in court over this one."
-> Posted by Arnoldstein'sRINO / Oct 19, 2005
"I'm not catholic, but the church had every right to fire that teacher. I'm tired of the government trying to force their California liberal beliefs on matters of faith. I too will vote for Prop 73. PARENTS should decide how to raise their children, not politicians and pro-abortion zealots."
-> Posted by Andrew / Oct 19, 2005
"Bishops have NOT learned from the sex abuses committed against precious children. Wiegand's actions against Ms. Bain's employment is proof that the Church is unteachable.

Bishop Wiegand is now protecting the teachings of the Church against abortion, by terminating an employee for association with Planned Parenthood, BEFORE Ms. Bain was employed at Loretto HS. Is this something Jesus would do? I think not."
-> Posted by bodkind@hotmail.com / Oct 19, 2005
"By the way, abortion is not the only thing that happens at a Planned Parenthood clinic.

They also counsel their patients, probably more than the Church did to the victims of their representatives. Unless you consider telling a young male rape victim to be quiet and not tell anyone counseling."
-> Posted by Toby iin Sacto / Oct 19, 2005
"No, the Church did not deal with the pedophile problem. If they did, they would have excommunicated the people involved, and turned them over to the authorities for trial and imprisonment. Must have missed this getting reported. If they are going to claim to have some sort of moral imperative driving their decisions, it is not a part time thing"
-> Posted by Toby in Sacto / Oct 19, 2005
"Praise the Lord that a requirement to represent a faith based institution is to practice that faith. Let's encourage them to handle the situation in the manner in which is prescribed in the Word of God.

Those in leadership are held to a higher standard, and consequences for our chioces- good or bad- are sure to come to pass.

Let us focus on the plank in our own eye instead of the speck in our brother's."
-> Posted by Cheryl / Oct 19, 2005
"NO Chris, we can't stop talking about the pedophiles of the church.
Gone?? Your right on that matter, problem is, they've just been " relocated ".
Name the priest who've been shuffled who SHOULD be in jail.
The bishop screwed up....why didn't this woman get the same type of treatment that the whacko pedophile priest got?
A quiet removal to another location??
( After some serious VALUE discussions tho )"
-> Posted by Leo of Sacramento / Oct 19, 2005
"This is a no-brainer. Of course, she should be fired. It is likely there are students who pray at the abortion center. What a twist - these Pro-Life, Catholic Students know more than the teacher."
-> Posted by Randall Stepanek / Oct 19, 2005
"In my opinion, Bishop Wiegand has violated Marie Bain's rights to protections in connection with CA Labor Code 1101.

We must pray that Bishop Wiegand does not violate CA Whistleblower protections by punishing the Loretto HS principal who chose to do the right thing, by respecting Ms. Bain's civil rights and due process.

This type of poor judgment in the clergy sex abuse scandals has almost destroyed the Catholic Church? Why is this continuing?

Debby Bodkin
info@catholics4justice.com"
-> Posted by Debby Bodkin / Oct 19, 2005
"This brings us all back to the one Proposition that all people of Faith should be able to support, whether Liberal, Moderate or Conservative, Prop 73. Parents should be notified of a teenage girl's intent to have an abortion, except in those rare situations that require immediate intervention by the courts in the family itself."
-> Posted by Arnoldstein'sRINO / Oct 19, 2005
"Other like-minded Christians should applaud the Catholic Church for requiring paid employees to uphold Church values. The funds that pay teachers salaries in Church schools are sacred and should not be spent to support, even indirectly, causes that run against Church doctrine. The courts have upheld the Mormon Church's right to expect paid employees to live the faith."
-> Posted by Arnoldstein'sRINO / Oct 19, 2005
"I'm not Catholic. I'm Mormon. The Mormon position on abortion is not as absolute as the Catholic position. We allow abortion in the case of rape, incest and the life of the mother but encourage women to make their decision prayerfully, even in those few understandable situations. That said, Catholic schools should be able to expect their teachers to uphold their values."
-> Posted by Arnoldstein'sRINO / Oct 19, 2005
"Can we kindly stop linking every action of the Church to the pedophilia scandal? We've dealt with the pedophiles (they're gone!), and now we're dealing with the abortionists (fired!). Give me a break, Ms. Bain: proudly wearing a Planned Parenthood vest while escorting into "safety" those who are about to kill human lives in their wombs? And she accepted a paycheck from a Catholic school? What a hypocrite. Good riddance to your warped double-life."
-> Posted by Chris / Oct 19, 2005
"This is why I have broke ranks with my Roman Catholic denominations.....one of many reasons.
We FIRE a teacher for being seen at an abortion clinic. Hmmm....
Fire a teacher, but save a Pedophile Priest.
Yea.....right......."
-> Posted by Leo of Sacramento / Oct 18, 2005
"ABOUT TIME.

It is great to know SOME Catholic Bishops hold fast to the faith.

Just think of it: Catholics want Catholics who ACTUALLY believe in and follow Church teaching to instruct their children.

Wow.

What an idea!"
-> Posted by Craig Kelso / Oct 18, 2005
"According to Catholics for Free Choice, 74 percent of Catholics say that abortion should be available.

Bishop Wiegand might want to think twice before he tries to rid the church of pro-choice parishioners. If he's successful he's going to find a lot of empty pews and collection baskets."
-> Posted by Ana / Oct 18, 2005
"Catholism preaches both the right to life and the forgiveness of sin. Paid professionals and volunteers who have allegedly committed themselves to Christ would naturally be judged on those two issues differently. You can teach for a Catholic school and not even pretend to be Christian, but you must live up to your contract."
-> Posted by Arnoldstein'sRINO / Oct 18, 2005
"If the school requires a personal behavior clause in the contract, then they are perfectly correct to fire a teacher who does not adhere to those behavioral standards, even in his or her personal life. Parents pay to send their students to a faith-based school on the presumption that all personnel are living in accordance with that faith."
-> Posted by Arnoldstein'sRINO / Oct 18, 2005
"What a hypocrite this SOB Wiegand is.

A lay woman tries to help young girls in trouble, he has no idea what she was doing, just that she was there, and she is to be terminated immediately.

How does this compare with the treatment of numerous priests who committed all sorts of felonious and reprehensible acts with young boys. They are relocated quietly, no risk of prison or other repurcussions after scarring young people for life"
-> Posted by Toby in Sacto / Oct 18, 2005
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