Main Line Catholic School Schedules More Meetings Over Controversial Firing Of Gay Teacher

The Main Line Catholic school that fired a longtime educator because she is in a same-sex marriage is continuing to feel pressure from parents, teachers and other staff who support her reinstatement.

In a statement released by Waldron Mercy Academy Principal Nell Stetser this week, the head of the school acknowledged there remains “strong disagreement on this topic within our community.”

Following a meeting last month in which parents were encouraged to voice their grievances with the school’s controversial decision, the Merion Station academy has scheduled yet another meeting on the subject for parents in September. In addition, the school is planning “other opportunities” for members of the Waldron community to speak with leadership about the dismissal of Margie Winters.

“Waldron Mercy Academy is mindful that the decision not to renew Margie Winters’ employment contract has caused and continues to cause a great deal of pain and heartfelt questioning,” read Stetser’s statement.

“Our goal is to provide opportunities to explain our decision and listen to the voices of all of our parents, faculty, and staff who wish to be heard so that we can continue with the healing process,” the statement later continues. “We as a community may never all agree on this decision, but we are confident that through transparent and respectful dialogue our Waldron community will continue to thrive.”

The school reportedly fired Winters, who had been a teacher and director of religious studies there for eight years, after at least two parents who had learned of her marriage issued complaints – one to the school, and the other to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

While the school is operated independently from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Archbishop Charles Chaput has praised and defended the academy for firing Winters, calling decision “a simple matter of honesty” and “common sense.”

Sister Patricia Vetrano, president of the Sisters of Mercy, which runs the school, said the leadership team has opted to uphold Stetser’s choice not to renew Winters’ contract.

Winters has been married to her partner, Andrea Vettori, for seven years. Winters has stated that the school knew of their relationship when she was first hired.

Despite the complaints that saw her dismissed, Winters has enjoyed the support of hundreds of parents, students and teachers at the school, who expressed their disagreement with the school’s decision at a prayer vigil this month.

Meanwhile, a Go Fund Me page, created three days ago with the aim of helping to support Winters and her wife financially in the aftermath of losing her job, has so far raised more than $17,800.