INDIANAPOLIS — A federal judge has ruled in favor of Roncalli High School and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis years after a former guidance counselor filed a federal lawsuit against both parties.
Shelly Fitzgerald filed the lawsuit in 2019.Fitzgerald worked for Roncalli for 15 years before she was fired after the school learned she was in a same-sex marriage.
Fitzgerald alleged that Roncalli retaliated against her and the Archdiocese interfered with her contractual and business relationship with the school.
The Archdiocese and Roncalli said the ministerial exception bars all of Fitzgerald's claims. The exception binds courts "to stay out of employment disputes involving those holding certain important positions with churches and other religious institutions."
Fitzgerald argued that Roncalli never entrusted her with religious teaching duties by raising numerous genuine factual disputes over what exactly she did at the school.
In court documents, Judge Richard L. Young wrote that "Roncalli entrusted Fitzgerald to teach the Catholic faith and carry out Roncalli's religious mission. Fitzgerald's employment agreement was a "teaching ministry contract" and Fitzgerald agreed to "[f]aithfully perform all duties of a [t]eacher in the school."
Young also said that the job of a high school guidance counsellor is "predominately secular" and that it was a stretch to call the counsellor a minister.
"But because Roncalli, through the employment agreement and faculty handbooks, expressly entrusted Fitzgerald with shaping the school's religious policy, Fitzgerald's position as Co-Director of Guidance qualifies for the ministerial exception," the document read.
The judge granted summary judgement and resolved all of the claims at issue in the case.
PREVIOUS: Shelly Fitzgerald files EEOC charge against Roncalli High School and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis | Shelly Fitzgerald remains on paid leave with Roncalli, is pushing for changes in Archdiocese | Roncalli counselor was says she was asked to resign after school learned of same-sex marriage | Parents demand change and show support for Roncalli counselor | Archbishop responds to controversy surrounding Roncalli guidance counselor's same-sex marriage | Roncalli president cancels board meeting where protests planned in support ofcounselor
-
IMPD swears in new therapy dog, Officer Grace Luna
IMPD got a new officer! Officer Grace Luna was sworn in as the department's new therapy dog on Monday. The one-year-old Golden Retriever will work in the Victim Assistance Unit.
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator' make gravity-defying theater debuts
With $270 million in worldwide ticket sales, "Wicked" and "Gladiator II" breathed fresh life into a box office that has struggled lately, leading to one of the busiest moviegoing weekends of the year.
Senator wants change following WRTV Investigation into mental health facilities
A state senator is pushing for sweeping change following a WRTV Investigation into a Lawrence mental health facility.
Hoosiers raise awareness about men's health issues for 'Movember'
You may notice many mustachioed men around Central Indiana this November. Some are adorning facial hair to raise awareness of prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide.
