Ex-Aquinas Academy teacher claims he was fired over same-sex relationship

A former teacher at Aquinas Academy in Greensburg claimed in a federal lawsuit Wednesday he was fired from his job last year because he is in a same-sex relationship.

Kenneth Ference of Unity alleged in his lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg that Maureen Marsteller, the diocese’s superintendent of Catholic schools, informed him on Sept. 28, 2021, that he was fired from his sixth grade teaching job because he had a husband.

The firing violated Ference’s rights under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, because he was a victim of discrimination based on his sexual orientation, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh.

Ference alleged in the one-count suit he suffered substantial mental anguish, emotional distress and economic damages because of the firing.

Ference declined to comment on the suit Wednesday night.

The Greensburg Catholic diocese would not comment on pending litigation, Jennifer Miele, the diocese’s chief communications officer, said in a statement.

Ference was hired by Aquinas Academy last Aug. 23, but the diocese did not learn he was in a relationship with a man until he completed a health insurance form on Sept. 2, the suit states. He had waived his rights to health insurance coverage because he indicated on the form he was covered by his husband’s medical plan, the suit alleges.

While an employee, Ference said he completed training that included a program called “Protecting God’s Children,” which included preventing child sexual abuse. The suit states he was prohibited from providing religious education to the students because he was a Lutheran, but he did monitor students’ behavior at church services. Other staff participated in prayers and Ference taught only secular subjects, the suit states.

Prior to filing the lawsuit, Ference filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claiming he was discriminated against. The suit states that the EEOC notified Ference it would file a suit in the matter.

Ference wants back pay, front pay and future lost earnings, as well as compensation for lost fringe and other benefits. He also is seeking compensatory and punitive damages and attorney fees.