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
-
2 charged for armed robbery of a Brinks truck driver on Indy’s southeast side
A 41-year-old and 17-year-old have both been formally charged for their role in an armed robbery of a Brinks truck driver on the southeast side of Indianapolis last week.
Small Business Saturday shoppers don’t mind a wait outside Crimson Tate
Customers have braved the elements to be the first in line to shop at Crimson Tate for the past 13 years.
Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton tries to rediscover joy of basketball despite losses
Haliburton has displayed an unusual edginess since training camp began in late September. But he looked and sounded more like himself Monday night.
Anderson police officer arrested for child solicitation
An investigation was initiated after a parent alleged inappropriate texts were being sent from the officer to juveniles while he was working as a school resource officer.
