Dan Lacey, author of Faithmouse, published the cartoon above in response to the expulsion of pro-life blogger Katelyn Sills (see StandUpSpeakOut) who wrote about the firing of a teacher from her Catholic High School. The teacher, Marie Bain, was released for her prior activities as a clinic escort at Planned Parenthood.
On her website, Katelyn reports that,
"As of Saturday, October 29th, I was given official notice by express mail that I am expelled from Loretto High School. This was given completely without forewarning, without a meeting, and without a chance to say goodbye. My family is now seeking legal advice, and more details will follow."Her family has also posted a brief statement here.
As an ex-clinic escort, Naaman covered the story from the beginning:
- Fired Clinic Escort Files Complaints Against The Catholic Church For Being Consistent
- Prolife blogger expelled
- More About That Clinic Escort
- Punish The Whistle-Blower?
GREAT CARTOON! I love it! Super article -- I am putting this on my blog along with a personal message to Katelyn.
Jean
Hey, thanks for the kind mention Tim! :)
Yeah, this story piqued my interest the first time I saw it. A former escort serving as a teacher at a Catholic girls' school? It's too bizarre.
At first, I was conflicted about Bain's firing. Given my own past, I'm not too crazy about continuing to judge people for their previous actions. But then I started to dig a little deeper, and it became obvious that Bain's "past" was really her present. Her actions proved that she had no change of heart, and that her pro-abortion views were a real & present danger to the girls at Loretto.
Then the SacBee "outed" the Sills for their part in Bain's firing, and Katelyn's life started to become more complicated. That's just wrong. Why expose a 15-year-old girl in a case like this? Firstly, it was the Bishop's decision to push for Bain's firing. Secondly, Katelyn wasn't the one who brought the case to the Bishop. Her mother Wynette did that, although Katelyn did (and still does) support her mom.
Now Katelyn's been expelled, and Bain is preparing to sue. The case just gets weirder and weirder. Several conspiracy-minded people have suggested that maybe this was an evil plot. Perhaps Planned Parenthood wanted to sneak a "mole" into a Catholic school and trigger a showdown? A few weeks ago, I would have laughed at that suggestion ... but I'm not laughing now.
It was reported that Marie Bain has reached a settlement in her wrongful termination claims. When due process is extended to all persons equally, these types of disputes are usually resolved.
It is my sincere hope that Katelyn Sills and her family also receive the same due process extended to Ms. Bain so Katelyn can return to Loretto HS with her friends.
Two of my children, Brent Bodkin and Rachel Bartholomew, were told they could not complete their senior years at Santa Margarita Catholic HS in Orange County, California, in Sept. 2002. This decision by school administrators was made because of a labor dispute that arose after my husband, a teacher at the school, took responsibility for reporting an illegal gun possession of the principal's son, on the Catholic HS campus. He was denied his 9th year teaching contract after the gun report and felony gun charges were filed against the principal's son.
No child or family should ever have to face the long-term feelings of betrayal that continue after an arbitrary decision is made by the Catholic Church, without due process. Denying a child the gift of continuing a Catholic school education is disgraceful.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Katelyn Sills and her family.
Debby Bodkin, Founder
www.catholics4justice.com