Kindergarten Teacher at St. Luke School Faces Discrimination Over Same-Sex Engagement

The decision by a private Catholic school in Shoreline to not renew the contract of a kindergarten teacher due to her same-sex engagement has sparked outrage and calls for reinstatement. Karen Pala, the teacher in question, revealed in a letter to parents that the school’s pastor made the decision, citing disapproval of her upcoming marriage.

Parents and advocates have labeled the decision as anti-LGBT discrimination, leading to a Change.org petition that has garnered over 1,100 signatures in support of Pala. The school officials have not confirmed whether Pala’s sexuality played a role in the decision, but the incident echoes a similar situation at another Catholic school in 2020.

The Archdiocese of Seattle, which oversees the Catholic schools in the area, has acknowledged the tension between moral and social teachings regarding same-sex marriages. A survey conducted by the Archdiocese showed that a majority of respondents, including Catholics, did not believe being in a same-sex marriage should disqualify someone from employment at a Catholic school.

Despite the controversy, Pala has expressed her love for the St. Luke community and her dedication to teaching until the end of the academic year. The situation highlights the ongoing debate within the Catholic Church regarding LGBTQ+ rights and employment in religious institutions.