Metairie, Louisiana- A gay music teacher at a Catholic school in Louisiana claims he was dismissed after a parent discovered his late husband’s obituary and accused him of violating the school’s morality clause.
Mark Richards, who had worked for over two decades at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Metairie, was shocked when he was informed of his termination.
“It’s just a stab in the back,” Richards said in an interview. “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.”
The Discovery and Accusation
The incident unfolded after a parent found the obituary of Richards’ late husband, John Messinger, and reported it to the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The parent alleged that Richards had been “lying” about his romantic life and living situation, triggering an investigation into his personal life.
Richards asserts that the school’s administrators were aware of his marriage to Messinger, and he had never encountered issues with his sexual orientation until the complaint was made in May.
The school’s administrators cited the morality clause in his contract as the reason for his dismissal, which he argues was a misinterpretation of his actions.
“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,” Richards explained. “I have not lied on my contracts for the last two years, I live with three dogs.”
Morality Clause and Controversial Impact
The morality clause included in the contracts of St. Francis Xavier faculty explicitly mentions “actively engaging in homosexual activity” as a violation, along with actions like getting an abortion or having a child “out of wedlock.”
Richards pointed out that the clause is discriminatory and believes if his late husband had been a woman, his relationship wouldn’t have been an issue.
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Richards married his husband, John Messinger, in 2014, and they remained together until Messinger passed away in 2023 from a heart attack. The school sent out an email to parents confirming that Richards would not be returning for the 2025-2026 school year but did not elaborate on the reasons for his termination.
“We apologize for the way in which you received this news and acknowledge with great respect the emotion around this announcement,” the email stated. It added that “no administrator or faculty member is guaranteed a contract for more than one year.”
Support for Richards and Petition for Change
Since the announcement, over 1,500 parents have signed a petition urging the school to reconsider the morality clause, showing their support for Richards. Parents, like Katheryn Lee, have voiced their dissatisfaction with the clause.
Lee said, “I would like the line regarding homosexuality in the morality clause that educators sign to be removed. Your identity is not your morality. I hope we have a voice in this.”
Richards’ firing has sparked a larger conversation about the intersection of personal identity, religion, and employment in educational institutions. Many believe that an individual’s personal life and identity should not be grounds for dismissal from a teaching position, especially after years of dedicated service.
Richards is now left to reflect on the loss of his job and navigate a world where his personal life has become the subject of public controversy.
For now, he hopes that the voices of those supporting him can push for meaningful change within the institution and beyond.
What do you think about the morality clause in schools? Should personal identity and relationships be grounds for dismissal in educational institutions? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation!
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