“Waldron Mercy Academy is a faith community where we learn in the spirit of mercy, rooted in hospitality, openness, trust, and outreach.” From the ages of seven to 14, I recited this mission statement every Wednesday alongside my classmates and faculty during our “Community Gathering.” Aside from engraving itself in my brain, this mission statement also formed the cornerstones of my Catholic faith: mercy, hospitality, openness, trust, and outreach. Whenever I disagreed with particular teachings of the Catholic Church, I always referred to these cornerstones to remind myself of the basis of Christianity. In my mind, any differences in opinion I had with the Catholic Church were irrelevant as long as these cornerstones were at the root of both the church’s teachings and my faith. After all, of all of the lessons taught in the Bible, the most important is simple: love.

The firing of Margie Winters opposes not only the Catholic teaching of love but contradicts the cornerstones of Waldron Mercy Academy and subsequently my faith.

Margie Winters started as the Religious Director at Waldron Mercy Academy in 2007 when I was in the sixth grade. From that moment on, everyone was aware of Ms. Winter’s presence in the best way possible. I cannot remember a time when she was not smiling. She always sang at Mass with incredible enthusiasm as she clapped her hands, played an instrument, or recited lyrics in a different language.

Most importantly, she made religion fun.

One of the unique aspects of Catholic schools is religion class. Religion class is important to teach students the history and teachings of the Catholic religion; however, it also breeds a dislike and animosity for religion due to the grades that result from the class. Margie Winters taught children from a young age that religion is not only about grades and sitting in a church for an hour until the priest hands out hosts. Religion is interesting and exciting and fun.

Despite the fact that she kept her private life private, a large majority of students, parents, and faculty, myself included, have all been aware of Ms. Winters' sexuality for a long time. No one has had any issue with her personal relationship until recently. During the last year, two parents complained to both the administration at Waldron and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia about the fact that Ms. Winters is married to a woman. After refusing to resign, Margie was fired this summer even though the school has been aware of her marriage for the eight years it has existed. The Principal of Waldron Mercy Academy stated that the firing was done in order to maintain Waldron’s “Catholic identity.”

I, along with many supporters of Waldron, were shocked. It seemed astonishing to many that a school that preaches openness would be so closed-minded. I could not believe that the place with “Mercy” in its name that had nurtured my faith and provided the basis for my beliefs could be so unmerciful.

Although many decided to #StandwithMargie in the wake of her termination and still continue to fight for her reinstation, I questioned if this form of Catholicism, the one that fired faculty because of their personal relationships, was the true form of Catholicism. What if the Catholicism of mercy, openness, trust, and outreach was one of my imagination and not one of reality? The answer to my question came in the form of a press release from my college, Fordham University.

Fordham University, like Waldron, is a Catholic educational institution. However, despite this similarity, they responded to gay marriages among their faculty quite differently. After a faculty member was married to his husband this summer, Fordham did not criticize nor fire him. Rather, they congratulated him.

Waldron Mercy Academy, and schools like it, need to take a page out of Fordham University’s book and practice what they preach.

Although following the Catholic Church and its teachings are important, it is more pivotal to follow the heart of Christianity: The Golden Rule.

Show mercy to those who have been criticized and ridiculed. Be hospitable to those who have been cast out by others. Open yourself to those who have been rejected. Trust that God cares for all his children, even those that are different than you. Extend your heart in outreach to those who need your help.Love thy neighbor.

“Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” ~ John 8:7