Gay vice principal should not flaunt behavior contrary to Catholic Church | Letter

Published 3:45 pm Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Just wanted to comment on Amy Johnson’s remarks regarding Eastside Catholic High School’s decision to let go Mr. Zmuda from his teaching position.

As a former teacher in two Catholic high schools (11 years in mathematics, including five years as department chairman), I understood that it was my job to reflect the morals and teaching of the school I worked at.

I understood it was not my right to flaunt a behavior that was contrary to the moral principles espoused by the Catholic Church. The school should never have said anything about divorce, since Mr. Zmuda has not married his partner, nor will the church ever say that he is, was or will be so “married.” Our deranged culture now uses language to confound and distort reality.

The Pope has not altered any teaching regarding marriage. He is emphasizing the need for a compassionate understanding of those with same sex attraction, while not giving it sanction.

This belief, since ancient Biblical days, is held not just by Catholics but by Orthodox, numerous Protestant denominations, Muslims, Orthodox Jews, etc. If I were to work for any of their schools they sponsored, I would expect to follow behavior that they and the parents of the children I was teaching believed is moral. Using impressionable young people to advance a personal agenda is dishonorable.

James LaVocina, Federal Way