A gay Catholic school music teacher in Louisiana claimed he was fired after a parent discovered his late husband’s obituary and accused him of breaking the school’s morality clause.
Mark Richards had worked at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Metairie for over 20 years before he was dealt the life-changing career blow.
“It’s just a stab in the back,” Richards told WDSU. “I was stunned. It’s just a sad reality that this is the world we live in today. It’s heartbreaking. I enjoyed teaching at this school. I loved those kids.”
A parent reported the obituary of the longtime teacher’s late husband, John Messinger, to the Archdiocese of New Orleans and accused the educator of “lying” about his romantic life and living situation, the outlet reported.
The music teacher claimed that the school administrators knew he was a gay, married man and they never had an issue until a complaint was made in May.
“Because I had signed 20 years of contracts with the morality clause that I had lied on my contracts, that was the reason for my dismissal,” the fired educator added. “I have not lied on my contracts for the last two years, I live with three dogs.”
“Actively engaging in homosexual activity” is listed in the morality clause along with getting an abortion, becoming pregnant “out of wedlock,” and fathering a child “out of wedlock,” according to the morality clause obtained by WDSU.
“If John had been a woman, we wouldn’t be sitting here, it wouldn’t be a problem,” Richards suggested.
Richards married his late husband in 2014 and they remained together until Messinger died in 2023 after a heart attack.
St. Francis Xavier sent an email to parents confirming that Richards “is not returning” to the faculty in the 2025-2026 school year, WDSU News reported.
“We apologize for the way in which you received this news and acknowledge with great respect the emotion around this announcement,” the email obtained by WDSU read.
The statement added that “no administrator or faculty member is guaranteed a contract for more than one year,” but would not comment any further.
The Catholic school’s philosophy is rooted in “creating an environment in which a Christian way of thought and life permeates all facets of the educational program by focusing on the spiritual, moral, intellectual, individual, social, physical, and cultural growth of its students,” according to its website.
Over 1,500 parents have signed a petition to change the morality clause and have shown support for Richards.
“I would like the line regarding homosexuality in the morality clause that educators sign to be removed,” parent Katheryn Lee told WDSU News. “Your identity is not your morality. I hope we have a voice in this.”
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