Unmarried Catholic school teacher has baby

[whatevergirl]

The irony though is that Jesus didn’t select heroic examples…or people who always followed Him, even. Peter and Paul are just two examples of people who opposed Christ…and Peter was made our first Pope, and both are saints.

What is done is done. You can’t undo sin. We are ALL sinners, and we can’t erase our pasts. No one is saying or advocating that premarital sex is ‘ok’ and having a baby out of wedlock is heroic. It’s unfortunate, but the teacher although unwed decided to have this baby, and she shouldn’t be outcasted – nor should she be praised necessarily. She should be treated with dignity, and the kids should be told that mistakes happen. Do we seriously teach our kids that there are no sinners, and that we should expect perfection of all Catholics? Jesus didn’t expect perfection from His Disciples…but they all GREW IN FAITH. That is what we are called to do…when we make mistakes…when we are in mortal sin…we turn to Christ…begging for forgiveness, and we try to live a repentant life. If this woman is living with the baby’s dad – not married–then she should be put on leave. I will say that she should learn from the experience, and realize that to teach the faith, she can’t be living with a man, whom she is not married to. That I agree with.

But, no one here is advocating for teenage girls to celebrate having a baby out of wedlock. But, we are to teach girls that what happened here, while it’s not God’s teaching, this teacher chose life…and like sanctamaria said…it can be a teaching moment.

 

[RachelsAlumni]

So, all of the young girls should go out and get pregnant and then they, too, can make a heroic pro life choice.

Every woman who finds herself pregnant should remain faithful to the requirements of the divine law even when the sacrifices and burdens require heroism.

I doubt that means that the young women in the school are suddenly going to run out and get themselves pregnant. The TV show, “Gilmore Girls”, about a single mother and her daughter, has been a very popular show for quite some time and I haven’t seen it associated with a dramatic rise in teen mothers wanting to emulate. In fact, when you look at the statistics for the years during the shows peak popularity teen pregnancy rates had actually dropped.

However, this show may have attributed to an increase in the number of women who chose to give life.

Whether or not a young woman decides to be sexually active prior to marriage depends on factors inside the home and to a lesser extent peer pressure and certainly not because of some former teacher. For example, 71% of teen pregnancies are attributed to young women in fatherless homes.

Studies have also found that girls whose fathers left the family earlier in their lives had the highest rates of early sexual activity and adolescent pregnancy. Girls whose fathers left them at a later age had a lower rate, with lowest rates found in girls whose fathers were present throughout their childhood. Even when the researchers took into account other factors that could have contributed to early sexual activity and pregnancy, such as behavioral problems and life adversity, early father-absent girls were still about five times more likely in the United States and three times more likely in New Zealand to experience an adolescent pregnancy than were father-present girls.[48][49]
48. Ellis, Bruce J. et al (2003) Does Father Absence Place Daughters at Special Risk for Early Sexual Activity and Teenage Pregnancy? Child Development, v74 n3 p801-21 May-Jun 2003
49. Quigley, Ann (2003) Father’s Absence Increases Daughter’s Risk of Teen Pregnancy Health Behavior News Service, May 27, 2003 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_pregnancy

Your black and white, either 100% this or 100% that conclusions are mind boggling. There’s nothing in the middle to your way of thinking.

No, this woman will be remembered at the school for getting pregnant and not being married, not for making a heroic prolife stand.

Maybe by some and that’s certainly not the way that either Pope Paul VI or John Paul II would have a christian respond in heart and mind. By most, and certainly by the young women who may someday find themselves in a similar situation with an unplanned pregnancy outside wedlock they will always remember that Miss _____ had a child out of wedlock and it just may give them the heroic courage to remain faithful to the requirements of the divine law and bring forth life for their baby.

Okay, this is good that there is some agreement. I get the impression that you have lived this and/or work in this area. Could this be what’s causing you to solely focus on the woman and her baby and not her students, and the rest of the students at the school?

Likewise. I would wager to guess that you have never had children and have never worked in prolife ministry which causes you to focus solely on the moral clause to the exclusion of the school’s authority, the actual good of a teachable moment, and the heroic witness to the gospel of life.

I don’t focus solely on the teacher to the exclusion of the students. Earlier in this thread, the focus was on the children and I gave the OP advice about this opportunity as teaching moment as a parent who has raised children along with several other parents. The focus of the discussion then changed towards the teacher rather than the children.

I am not a teacher or a lawyer and do not work in education if that’s what you’re implying. I have worked in post-abortion ministry with Catholic women who have had abortions and the majority of them, sadly enough, had an abortion rather than tell their parents. My bias is a prolife life bias. I agree with Serrin Foster that to effectively end abortion we need to work to reduce the pressures driving women to seek abortions. I agree that our actions & deeds should promote a gospel of life and support women to choose life.

It’s an interesting argument that by firing her she loses insurance coverage and will face struggles. Well, she can purchase COBRA coverage. Maybe be put on her boyfriend/partner’s plan. I don’t know. She signed an employment contract. She’s obviously in breach of it. What would you do? Being pregnant is not a free pass.

I respect the school’s authority and choice in retaining her. I agree that this was the best way to witness the church teachings and comply with the civil law of the land once the teacher was pregnant.

In cases where church employers fire women who are pregnant they give notice to any and all women who are employed by the Church that they too may be fired if they become pregnant out of wedlock. It is that message that is counterproductive to promoting a gospel of life.

btw: You obviously haven’t ever read how much it costs to go on Cobra. It’s not free and last I checked years ago it cost around $450/mo for a single person.

 

[PaulinVA]

Likewise. I would wager to guess that you have never had children and have never worked in prolife ministry which causes you to focus solely on the moral clause to the exclusion of the school’s authority, the actual good of a teachable moment, and the heroic witness to the gospel of life.

Well, I actually have four children. A tween, two teens, and a child born with a terrible birth defect who died when he was three.

I am one of “the other people” that bad things happen to. You know, they never happen to you, they only happen to other people? We found out our first son had a this terrible defect during a sonogram. There was never a question, though, whether he would have a complete, natural life. It was devastating. It was redeeming.

So, yes, things do seem to be basically black and white to me. My wife is the heroic wife and mother that the Pope was writing about. Not some lady who gets pregnant while living with her boyfriend.

I am not a teacher or a lawyer and do not work in education if that’s what you’re implying. I have worked in post-abortion ministry with Catholic women who have had abortions and the majority of them, sadly enough, had an abortion rather than tell their parents. My bias is a prolife life bias. I agree with Serrin Foster that to effectively end abortion we need to work to reduce the pressures driving women to seek abortions. I agree that our actions & deeds should promote a gospel of life and support women to choose life.

To effectively end abortion, let’s work REALLY HARD to show girls/women that they DON’T HAVE TO HAVE SEX to have men like them. Hey, single teachers who are chaste and good role models would be a good start.

btw: You obviously haven’t ever read how much it costs to go on Cobra. It’s not free and last I checked years ago it cost around $450/mo for a single person.

I know an awful lot about COBRA. She’s got a boyfriend - let him kick in some money. Okay, that’s a little snarky, sorry.

I appreciate your passion for helping women who struggle with the results of poor life choices. As a father of teens, though, I’ve observed that the biggest impression, the greatest witness, is what kids observe. Not what they are told, but what they see in the world. What people they admire do. What people they don’t admire do. I really think it’s important for children to have role models that show them living a chaste, caring, christian life is possible.

 

[RachelsAlumni]

Another thing I would like to throw into the discusssion is that there may be a reason, that the school is aware of, that this woman is not legally married.

For example, I know of a woman who has 3 children with a man to whom she is not married. The reason they have not married is because of legal status. He is in the process of applying for Amnesty and she is not a legal citizen. If she were to marry him he would lose his appeal for Amnesty. He has to wait, I think, 10 years before he can apply for his LPR. Therefore, they are waiting until he gets his LPR to marry legally and then start the process all over again to allow her to remain in the US legally.

This teacher could be in a similar irregular situation and so I tend to give the benefit of the doubt. I’m not saying this is right or that it’s not sinful or giving a poor witness.

I have advised them, through a mutual acquaintance, to talk to their priest about a secret marriage. I know the Church has granted secret marriages for political purposes in the past. They have also considered marrying in the Church outside the US.

 

[RachelsAlumni]

Well, I actually have four children. A tween, two teens, and a child born with a terrible birth defect who died when he was three…We found out our first son had a this terrible defect during a sonogram. There was never a question, though, whether he would have a complete, natural life. It was devastating. It was redeeming.

So, yes, things do seem to be basically black and white to me. My wife is the heroic wife and mother that the Pope was writing about.

Yes. You and your wife are heroes. God Bless You!

To effectively end abortion, let’s work REALLY HARD to show girls/women that they DON’T HAVE TO HAVE SEX to have men like them. Hey, single teachers who are chaste and good role models would be a good start.

More importantly, given the statistics, is a two parent household. Good role models can have some effect, but it’s hardly a determining factor the way having a father in the home is. This gets us back to my advice to the OP, to teach his children in a positive way the benefits they’ve been given by parents who follow the gospel. Showing them that God’s way is always the best way and leads to the most happiness.

I appreciate your passion for helping women who struggle with the results of poor life choices. As a father of teens, though, I’ve observed that the biggest impression, the greatest witness, is what kids observe. Not what they are told, but what they see in the world. What people they admire do. What people they don’t admire do. I really think it’s important for children to have role models that show them living a chaste, caring, christian life is possible.

The role models that count the most are mom & dad and that’s as it should be. Your very presence in the home is the single most important factor in the lives of your children and whether your daughter’s will engage in premarital sex. That should give you more of a sense of importance and control during a time when it may appear that you have little or no control in their lives. Don’t be overly persuaded that your (name removed by moderator)ut, your witness in their lives is so easily discounted by their peers. The statistics show otherwise.

 

[HappyPerson]

This is just disgusting! to call a baby, a child of God “the product of sin”. It tells me all I need to know about you, Happy

I have gone out of my way in love and charity to address the issue, and not make any personal attacks on you or anyone else who is on the wrong side of this issue. I would greatly appreciate you addressing the issue, rather than pointing fingers of judgment at people who you don’t even know beyond the fact that they are providing more intelligent arguments than you are on a Catholic message board.

This baby is the product of sin, whether you like it or not. Without the sin of fornication, that baby would not have existed. That is a theologically sound FACT. That being said, this baby is still precious in God’s Eyes, and a human of equal dignity as all other humans are. That fact, however, sends an even stronger message to the children that wonderful things come out of rebelling against God, a message that should NEVER be sent to innocent children.

The whole, “let’s make this a teachable moment,” presupposes a unified view and awareness among the students’ parents, which is highly improbable in this scenario. We need to look at what is in reality, rather than what we would want in an ideal setting. Besides, if you want to show children the adverse results of fornication, there are far more effective examples to use than happy school teachers who are proud of their babies. The kids are better off seeing people who are actually struggling and suffering as a result of their sexual sins.

Abortion isn’t even the issue here. She already had the baby, so there is NO chance of an abortion if she is now fired. So, I say, give her the BOOT!!! And, if the administrator disagrees with me, give the administrator the BOOT!!!

Furthermore, if she persists in her co-habitation, a possible ex-communication may need to be considered.

This way, the children won’t be sent a mixed message.

 

[BLUEMOON74]

Well, I actually have four children. A tween, two teens, and a child born with a terrible birth defect who died when he was three.

I am one of “the other people” that bad things happen to. You know, they never happen to you, they only happen to other people? We found out our first son had a this terrible defect during a sonogram. There was never a question, though, whether he would have a complete, natural life. It was devastating. It was redeeming.

So, yes, things do seem to be basically black and white to me. My wife is the heroic wife and mother that the Pope was writing about. Not some lady who gets pregnant while living with her boyfriend.

To effectively end abortion, let’s work REALLY HARD to show girls/women that they DON’T HAVE TO HAVE SEX to have men like them. Hey, single teachers who are chaste and good role models would be a good start.

I know an awful lot about COBRA. She’s got a boyfriend - let him kick in some money. Okay, that’s a little snarky, sorry.

I appreciate your passion for helping women who struggle with the results of poor life choices. As a father of teens, though, I’ve observed that the biggest impression, the greatest witness, is what kids observe. Not what they are told, but what they see in the world. What people they admire do. What people they don’t admire do. I really think it’s important for children to have role models that show them living a chaste, caring, christian life is possible.

I would be honored for your wife to teach my children, too bad I’m in Texas with no kids yet, but if I ever do move to VA and when I have children, no question where my kids would be going. God Bless you and your family :hug1:

 

[KingAlfred]

One mistake on this scale I suppose is tolerable. Precedence is a separate matter, I’m afraid.

 

[PaulinVA]

Blue Moon and RachelsAlumini - thank you for your kind words. My wife and children have truly made me a better person than I would have ever been without them.

I agree that young girls (and boys) are devastated by not having their father living at home. We should all work to helping break the cycle of poor marriage/cohabiting choices that lead to divorce and start the whole cycle over again.

I think that presenting young girls with good examples of strong single women who live chastely, work for good in the world, and make good dating/boyfriend/husband choices is an important thing.

 

[JReducation]

I’m having a serious problem with this discussion and I need some clarification. I worked for the Diocese of Arlington for more than four years, with the Office of Religious Education and the Superintendent of Catholic Schools. I know what was in place back then. I can’t say I know what is in place today, because things change.

There were two policies, among many, that were in place at that time and both seem to have been violeted here. I’m going to paraphrase, because I can’t recall the exact words. This was a long time ago.

1. Any public comments on matters of personal conscience and what belonged in the confessional, such as repentance, culpability, and serious sins regarding a specific person was absolutely forbidden. This is slander and violates the privacy of the confessional. No one may ever ask an employee if they went to confession and repented for a sin. If you worked for the diocese, such as pastor, principal, Director of Religious Education, teacher, Deacon and so forth, you never spoke publicly about a specific person’s moral character. If you were a student you could be expelled for it. An employee could be terminated. Notice I’m saying could be, depending on how much damage was done.

This leads to my first question. How do the parents of this school know

a) That the woman is unrepentant?

b) That she lives with someone outside of marriagae?

If the parents got this information from the teacher, then there is probable cause for termination. If this information comes to the parents via heresay, then someone in the school (parent, student, another teacher or administrator) has committed a serious breech, that person should be conseqenced.

The other policy was pretty straightforward

1. If the school belongs to the parish it comes under the jurisdiction of the diocese and the employment agreement can be enforced. If the school belongs to a religious community, the diocese has no jurisdiction and neither does the laity, only the Major Superior of the religious community has jurisdiction over the school. Therefore, the employment agreement is determined by the religious community and enforced at the discretion of the Major Religious Superior.

Is this school diocesan property or religious property?

Just wondering.

One last piece of advice. If this is the Arlington Diocese, I would suggest that one not bring these issues to a public board like CAF or any small diocese. It is very easy to identify people, because gossip travels in small communities. Discussing someone’s moral life, when the person is not a public figure such as a politician, can cross a very serious line. In smaller diocese very few things are easy to cover up. People talk too much about things that they shouldn’t be discussing and the snowball effect kicks in.

Anyone who lives in a small diocese can read this thread with so much information about this person, ask the right questions of the right people and identify the teacher. I would not want to be responsible for that happening.

Let’s be careful when we bring specific individuals to the board, even if we never mention their names. Let us ask ourselves whether we’re giving out too much information that could make it possible to identify a person.

I understand that we want the best for our children and we want other peopel’s (name removed by moderator)ut. But we don’t want to do damage either. The Catholic Tradition is to choose the good, not to do avoidable damage in quest for the good.

JR

 

[HappyPerson]

I would suggest that one not bring these issues to a public board like CAF or any small diocese. It is very easy to identify people, because gossip travels in small communities. Discussing someone’s moral life, when the person is not a public figure such as a politician, can cross a very serious line. In smaller diocese very few things are easy to cover up. People talk too much about things that they shouldn’t be discussing and the snowball effect kicks in.

Anyone who lives in a small diocese can read this thread with so much information about this person, ask the right questions of the right people and identify the teacher. I would not want to be responsible for that happening.

Let’s be careful when we bring specific individuals to the board, even if we never mention their names. Let us ask ourselves whether we’re giving out too much information that could make it possible to identify a person.

I understand that we want the best for our children and we want other peopel’s (name removed by moderator)ut. But we don’t want to do damage either. The Catholic Tradition is to choose the good, not to do avoidable damage in quest for the good.

JR

This is an excellent point. While it seems like an anonymous person or even a hypothetical situation, the person involved likely wouldn’t want this to be discussed. If we aren’t in the position of hiring or firing this teacher, or directly influencing whoever does, then it is irrelevant what we think.

Some people showed extreme love and sympathy for the teacher and baby, focusing on repentance, mercy, grace, and forgiveness; while others viewed it more from the perspective of sending the proper message about sin and consequences to the students. Yet, others who took the “teachable moment” approach genuinely showed hearts for what would be best for all involved, in an ideal setting. I feel like we all had genuine good intentions here, even though we didn’t all agree as to what would create the greatest good. This is all the more reason to be greatful for those who are in authority, so that we aren’t left to make these decisions, which can often be tainted by our own perspectives, even when supported by Church documents.

God put the leaders in charge, and Proverbs 3:5 stands strong, so I guess at this point, I’ll bring my remarks on this thread to a close, and hope that we can all pray that the greater good will be done in this situation, regardless of what that is. God sees the whole picture properly, while we only see a part, sometimes even seeing the part that we see, erroneously.

I apologize to Rachel or anyone else who may have found my words offensive. If somehow that teacher ever reads this, then I apologize to her, too. When all is said and done, unless I have a kid in that classroom, or am a teacher waiting in the wings in THAT archdiocese for a job, it is really none of my business.

 

[PaulinVA]

JR, very good points. I would never want to talk about someone who could be identified. I viewed this as anonymous and didn’t think about ir being gossip.

I have actually been thinking about this thread for days, praying for understanding about the tension between Christ’s love (and our need to emulate it) and the need for discipline and setting a good example.

As to #1 - I never focused on repentance because in this situation I don’t think it matters. You’re right, it’s none of my business and not an appropriate discussion point for the reasons you stated.

For #2, I think that’s a cut and dried application of the employment contract.

The issues we’ve been discussing have certainly given me food for thought.

But, I’m ready to pack it in if we talked the thread out.

 

[fms]

If my daughter went to that school, I would use that opportunity to teach/instruct/talk to her. I would also then talk to principal/ other parents to see whether the teacher acted inappropriately, and how we would address that.

My daughter came back from school one day (public school) and told us that the teacher had told them about there being many kinds of families (gay parents included). Used that to teach/instruct/talk to her.

 

[joseph_virgen]

i have no stones to throw. she is of the faith, she knows her sin is forgiven. i have no doubt she sought refuge in God’s mercy.

amazingly, people of the faith still adhere unto that old saying: “Yes, but not in my yard.”

 

[mesurman]

What do you think Jesus would do? Throw her out? Stone her? Just hink, if she’d had an abortion nobody every would have known. How about abmitting that folks are human, make mistakes and should be treated with mercy, compassion and forgiveness. IMO, that’s what Jesus would do. I’m not trying to be rude and apologize if I’m coming off that way - but as Jesus pointed out, the sick don’t need a physician. Mercy, compassion and forgiveness. No stone throwing. Remember, there but for the grace of God, go I.

Right On.

My daughter made a mistake about a year and a month ago. Now I have a granddaughter. Very much praying and forgiveness going on here. A tough situation to say the least. She could have chose abortion and we would have never known, she chose life and what a beautiful life it is. If we want God’s forgiveness we must forgive!

 

[elts1956]

I for one would definitely not be comfortable with the teacher bringing the child to school and might do something about it depending on how it went. I would also be concerned about the person’s fitness to teach in a Catholic School and again, depending on circumstances, might do something about it. I know life is messy - I mean in our diocese we have a pastor who has a child by the wife of a parishioner from his previous assignment and his new parish has been asked to welcome him and the child. We all have to stretch to be understanding, being mindful of our own failures. But sometimes “one’s mind can be so open one’s brains fall out” and I think children are to be protected from scandal.

First of all, I want to agree with most of what you have said. I have so many Catholic relatives who have had children out of wedlock and ardent in their faith. These are older relatives who were born long before the “hippie” generation, so I don’t believe the description promiscuous would fit them. They made a mistake which I cannot condone, nor can I judge. So it is difficult for me to remain objective in your case stated.

I do agree the teacher should not “flaunt” her child in front of impressionable children. My being of the “old school”, I hope she took a leave of absence for her child to be born. In other words, this should have been kept as a private, personal thing.

As for the priest, why in the world is he still a Pastor? Understanding, yes, tolerant for a priest who has already given scandal and the parish is to welcome him AND his child? Who is the Bishop in your diocese? No wonder relativism has made such inroads on our society if even the Bishop thinks everything is relative? Where is our Church that at one time had standards to be lived up to not reached down for?

 

[elts1956]

The school my daughter attends is a catholic school. It is generally well run and fairly strict and has at its heart the teachings of the catholic church running through the curriculum and school activities. I posted elsewhere on another thread a troublesome issue now arising with school assemblies beng held in the church.

I think, if possible, I would look for another Catholic School more respectful of the Sacraments and Sacramentals of the Catholic Church. If you decide this is the right course, please be sure to tell your present priest and faculty why you have chosen to do so.
However, I have now discovered that one of the teachers, who is unmarried, has just had a baby. She brought the baby into school for the girls to see and go gaga over.

All very well and good but now Im wondering what kind of example is this setting to the girls. On the one hand they are being taught catholic principles and morals, and particularly the older group about love and sex and relationships, and then they get presented with a beautiful bonnie baby by an unmarried teacher they all look up to and respect.

Im now left wondering if the school should take a much stronger line with the moral example set by the teachers in the school, but no doubt they would run foul of some sex discrimination law or other

If I remember correctly, this happened in another area, or perhaps your area, I can’t say for sure, but I believe the parish stuck to their guns and the teacher was dismissed.

First of all, I want to say, I have so many Catholic relatives who have had children out of wedlock but have afterward remained ardent in their faith. These are older relatives who were adults long before the “hippie” generation, so I don’t believe the description promiscuous would fit them. They made a mistake which I cannot condone, nor can I judge. So it is difficult for me to remain objective in your case stated.

I do think the teacher should not “flaunt” her child in front of impressionable children. She has standards to live up to and my being of the “old school”, I hope she took a leave of absence for her child to be born. In other words, this should have been kept as a private, personal thing. She is giving scandal and the parish administrator is condoning it.

 

[elts1956]

The school my daughter attends is a catholic school. It is generally well run and fairly strict and has at its heart the teachings of the catholic church running through the curriculum and school activities. I posted elsewhere on another thread a troublesome issue now arising with school assemblies beng held in the church.

However, I have now discovered that one of the teachers, who is unmarried, has just had a baby. She brought the baby into school for the girls to see and go gaga over.

All very well and good but now Im wondering what kind of example is this setting to the girls. On the one hand they are being taught catholic principles and morals, and particularly the older group about love and sex and relationships, and then they get presented with a beautiful bonnie baby by an unmarried teacher they all look up to and respect.

Im now left wondering if the school should take a much stronger line with the moral example set by the teachers in the school, but no doubt they would run foul of some sex discrimination law or other

.

 

[elts1956]

The school my daughter attends is a catholic school. It is generally well run and fairly strict and has at its heart the teachings of the catholic church running through the curriculum and school activities. I posted elsewhere on another thread a troublesome issue now arising with school assemblies beng held in the church.

However, I have now discovered that one of the teachers, who is unmarried, has just had a baby. She brought the baby into school for the girls to see and go gaga over.

All very well and good but now Im wondering what kind of example is this setting to the girls. On the one hand they are being taught catholic principles and morals, and particularly the older group about love and sex and relationships, and then they get presented with a beautiful bonnie baby by an unmarried teacher they all look up to and respect.

Im now left wondering if the school should take a much stronger line with the moral example set by the teachers in the school, but no doubt they would run foul of some sex discrimination law or other ]

If I remember correctly, this happened in another area, or perhaps your area, I can’t say for sure, but I believe the parish stuck to their guns and the teacher was dismissed

I have had the experience of several of my older relatives having made the mistake of letting themselves be vulnerable at the wrong time and with the wrong man. However, they were and have remained ardent Catholics, so although I don’t condone what they did, I do admire their having their children and raising them as their own when they did get married and have other children.

However, with this teacher, I think this would be a red flag for me to find another Catholic school to send my child to, not only because of her, but also because the clergy and faculty seem to be ignoring the possibe effect she will have on the children… She is setting a bad example for the children, especially by bringing her baby to the school for the children to see and has caused scandal. If the parish priest, or principal, decided to keep her on, well and good, but they should not allow her to flaunt her circumstances in front of the children as though it is an accepted practice. To me, this circumstance calls for discretion and privacy and should be maintained by those in authority.

 

[elts1956]

I have gone out of my way in love and charity to address the issue, and not make any personal attacks on you or anyone else who is on the wrong side of this issue. I would greatly appreciate you addressing the issue, rather than pointing fingers of judgment at people who you don’t even know beyond the fact that they are providing more intelligent arguments than you are on a Catholic message board.

This baby is the product of sin, whether you like it or not. Without the sin of fornication, that baby would not have existed. That is a theologically sound FACT. That being said, this baby is still precious in God’s Eyes, and a human of equal dignity as all other humans are. That fact, however, sends an even stronger message to the children that wonderful things come out of rebelling against God, a message that should NEVER be sent to innocent children.

The whole, “let’s make this a teachable moment,” presupposes a unified view and awareness among the students’ parents, which is highly improbable in this scenario. We need to look at what is in reality, rather than what we would want in an ideal setting. Besides, if you want to show children the adverse results of fornication, there are far more effective examples to use than happy school teachers who are proud of their babies. The kids are better off seeing people who are actually struggling and suffering as a result of their sexual sins.

Abortion isn’t even the issue here. She already had the baby, so there is NO chance of an abortion if she is now fired. So, I say, give her the BOOT!!! And, if the administrator disagrees with me, give the administrator the BOOT!!!

Furthermore, if she persists in her co-habitation, a possible ex-communication may need to be considered.

This way, the children won’t be sent a mixed message.

That the child is a result of the mother’s sin has no effect on the soul of her child. S/he is a child of God the same as any other child. To say s/he is a “child of sin” initially place a stigma on that child which may never be overcome.