San Diego Diocese punishes teacher and her kids for being victims of domestic violence

These parents support the decision to throw out a teacher and her children who were victims of domestic violence from Holy Trinity School.

I understand that the parents at Holy Trinity school might be frightened; school violence in the news in recent years has made a lot of people terrified, if not a bit paranoid. But I think parents and school officials reacted in a mean-spirited and ineffective manner when teacher Carie Charlesworth's husband demonstrated what school officials called "threatening and menacing behavior" at the school.

Perhaps he said something that made people uncomfortable. Or maybe just the fact that he was there was perceived as a threat. So the school fired his wife and expelled his children.

Of course, there's no guarantee that he won't come to the school in the future; he could become angry that his children were expelled and his wife was fired.

I think the Church abandoned its basic principles far too quickly in this case. If there really is a danger from Charlesworth's husband, then why doesn't the Diocese do something about that, rather than force public schools to deal with it?

As a nation, we have always had to balance safety and freedom. We chose to take a different road from Saudi Arabia and Singapore.

I have an answer for a diocese that arrogantly challenges critics with the unspoken question, "Am I my brother's keeper?" The answer is YES.





(Click on image to enlarge.)

Domestic Violence Victim Fired From Teaching Sues Diocese of San Diego (VIDEO)
"They should not treat people like this," said domestic violence victim Carie Charlesworth
By Steven Luke
NBC News
Sep 3, 2013

A domestic violence victim fired from her East County teaching job is now suing her former employer, the Catholic Diocese of San Diego. NBC 7's Steven Luke reports.

A woman who was fired from her teaching job after a domestic violence incident involving her ex-husband has filed a lawsuit against the Catholic Diocese of San Diego.

Carie Charlesworth was told to leave her second grade teaching position at Holy Trinity Catholic School in El Cajon earlier this year after her husband demonstrated "threatening and menacing behavior” on school grounds. Tuesday afternoon, she filed a lawsuit in San Diego’s downtown superior court.

“I want to accomplish change, I want them to know they should not treat people like this,” Charlesworth said.

The single mother of four children became the source of intense social and moral debate in June when NBC 7 San Diego first reported her situation. Dozens of parents at Holy Trinity School came forward to show their support of the school, which they say put safety as a first priority. Advocates for domestic violence victims said the firing marked a significant step back in the ongoing fight to empower victims to speak up.

The suit names the Roman Catholic Bishop of San Diego as a defendant along with several people holding prominent positions within the diocese. NBC 7’s phone calls and emails to the defendants were not returned.

Fighting the Catholic Church on employment disputes is historically an uphill battle. As a religious institution they have more legal latitude, discretion and protection in firing employees.

“My contract with the diocese held me to a standard they didn’t uphold themselves” said Charlesworth.

Earlier this year, Charlesworth traveled to Sacramento to fight for Senate Bill 400, which would not only prevent employers from firing victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, but also require companies to make efforts to protect them.

Charlesworth’s attorney says his lawsuit is based on the district’s own contract with teachers, which requires them to follow the precepts of the Catholic Church.

“When there was a speculative danger to the school community, the church’s doctrine says ‘We need to pull together, we need to protect the school and Carie and her children.’” said attorney Ken Hoy. “To do less is to breach some of the most important Catholic principles that exist.”

Charlesworth’s four children are also named as plaintiffs because they were expelled from the school last spring as a result of growing concern about their father’s erratic behavior.

“They still were following the rules of the school, they were good students, good kids, they had no reason to be expelled from a school” said Charlesworth.

The complaint also seeks damages for negligence, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and defamation.

Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Former-Teacher-Sues-Catholic-Diocese-of-San-Diego-222270071.html#ixzz2dxm07WtL




Carie Charlesworth is fired because of “threat” from abusive ex-husband
by adrakontaidis
Real Talk Real Debate
June 15, 2013

Carie Charlesworth, a veteran teacher of 14 years, was fired from Holy Trinity School in El Cajon (a San Diego county) because of her ex-husband’s actions. Carie’s ex-husband, Martin, is currently in jail for violating his restraining order. In January, Martin showed up at the school and was promptly arrested. Shortly thereafter, Carie was placed on “indefinite leave” and her four children were removed from the school. Carie was recently told she was being let go of her job because of the “threat” her ex posed to her and the school children.

The diocese’s director of schools wrote: “Please understand that this was a very difficult decision to make, and we are deeply, deeply sorry about this situation. We will continue to pray for you and your family.” Carie says she and her children are being punished for her ex-husband’s actions. She is unsure of how she will support her children. After all it isn’t all that easy to get a job nowadays.

Martin will be released from jail on June 28th. Carie said she was frightened of his January appearance because they had two prior arguments before that forced meeting. Carie said that Martin has ruined her life. She did everything they tell abuse victims to do. Carie states her situation is exactly why more woman don’t come forward of their abuse.

The diocese thinks they are doing what is in the best interest of the other children attending the school. Their lawyers uncovered a 20+ year history of domestic violence towards others—especially towards women. Furthermore, Holy Trinity teachers are only signed on one-year contracts and can be let go for any reason. The technical terms of her contract allow for the legality of her firing.

I’m outraged that a precedent has been created in which abuse victims are continued to be tortured by their abusers. Why should this man be legally allowed to dictate this woman’s life? At which point did this woman forsake her rights? Her life? At which did her children forsake a normal childhood?

The diocese has every right and responsibility to protect the other students of the school; but doesn’t it also have the responsibility to Carie, a 14-year veteran of the school. I understand this is a precarious situation and a difficult one for the school to handle. However, I feel like they basically have cut all ties to her and have essentially told her “I hope you are okay but we’ve officially stopped caring and by the way good luck out there with your psycho ex-husband.

Another aspect of the story that infuriates me to no end is the fact this “man” somehow can continue to abuse others for over two decades yet gets a “slap of the wrist” in his sentencing. He abuses his wife and gets less than a year in jail. Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich got 14 years for trying to sell a U.S. Senate seat. Explain that one to me.

Couldn’t there be a police presence at the school? If this guy comes again to school he should be arrested indefinitely. Granted I think he should have already been imprisoned indefinitely. As I stated earlier, I think this creates a dangerous precedent that abuse victims will be less forward in revealing their plights. Additionally, the legal system should not allow the abuser to continue to dictate the lives of victims. It’s simply deplorable.

What do you think?

Email: realtalkdebate2012@gmail.com
Twitter: @adrakontaidis & @talkrealdebate




San Diego Domestic Violence Victim Fired From Teaching
Second grade teacher Carie Charlesworth was fired after a domestic violence dispute involving her ex-husband
By Steven Luke
NBC 7
Jun 13, 2013

A San Diego teacher was fired by Holy Trinity School following a domestic violence incident involving her ex-husband.

Second-grade teacher Carie Charlesworth is out of a job, but not for anything she did in the classroom. Her school district considers her a liability and too unsafe to have around following a domestic violence dispute that happened earlier this year.

A letter sent to Charlesworth said that school officials are concerned about her ex-husband's "threatening and menacing behavior," and as a result they "cannot allow" her to continue teaching at the Holy Trinity School.

"They’ve taken away my ability to care for my kids,” said Charlesworth. “It’s not like I can go out and find a teaching job anywhere.”

The mother of four children didn’t think this would ever be her story to tell, but she is using her name and showing her face in hopes of bringing attention to a larger problem.

It’s a story that has domestic violence advocates outraged, fearing it will only reinforce an age-old problem where victims stay silent — but equally concerned are the school's parents, not wanting their kids in the middle of it.

“Basically, we’d had a very bad weekend with him, we’d called the sheriff’s department three times on Sunday with him,” said Charlesworth, referring to an incident in January that put her leave of absence in motion.

She went to her principal at Holy Trinity School in El Cajon the following morning and told the principal to be on the lookout for her ex-husband. As many domestic violence cases go, this one has a trail of restraining orders and 911 calls. When Charlesworth’s ex-husband showed up in the school parking lot, the school went into lockdown.

Charlesworth and her four kids, who also attended Holy Trinity School, have not been back since the January incident. A letter was sent home to parents the following day, explaining the situation and noting Charlesworth and her children were being put "on an indefinite leave.”

While Charlesworth’s husband went to jail on two felony charges, she says she felt like a criminal too.

“And that’s what it felt like, the kids and I were being punished for something we didn’t even do,” she told NBC 7 San Diego.

Three months later, another letter arrived in the mail delivering a crushing blow. Charlesworth was fired for good, and after 14 years in the district not allowed to teach at any other Diocesan school.

The letter stated:

"We know from the most recent incident involving you and Mrs. Wright (the principal) while you were still physically at Holy Trinity School, that the temporary restraining order in effect were not a deterrent to him. Although we understand he is current incarcerated, we have no way of knowing how long or short a time he will actually serve and we understand from court files that he may be released as early as next fall. In the interest of the safety of the students, faculty and parents at Holy Trinity School, we simply cannot allow you to return to work there, or, unfortunately, at any other school in the Diocese."

When asked for a response, Tom Beecher, Director of the San Diego Diocese Office for Schools wrote in an email to NBC 7 San Diego: “The diocese does not make public comment about personnel issues.”

Several parents at Holy Trinity, not disclosing their names out of safety concerns, said the district did the right thing in a no-win situation because they feared for the safety of their own children. Several parents mentioned being part of a movement to “pull kids out of the school” if Charlesworth returned.

“I mean that’s why women of domestic violence don’t come forward, because they’re afraid of the way people are going to see them, view them, perceive them, treat them,” said Charlesworth.

A 2011 study by Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center shows Charlesworth isn’t alone: Nearly 40 percent of survivors in California reported being fired or feared termination because of domestic violence.

Charlesworth’s attorney Kenneth Hoyt, who intends to file a lawsuit on her behalf, said it may be an uphill climb because of something called "Ministerial Exception.” As part of her duties Charlesworth taught religion, and even though it was a small part of her daily lesson plan, there's legal precedence showing she can be fired without cause just like a priest or pastor.

“I have not been back to a Catholic church since this happened” said Charlesworth, who admits her life has been turned upside down because “everything I thought I had, I don’t.”

She is being paid through August, but doesn’t know where she’ll turn next. Her ex-husband is scheduled to be released from Jail at the end of June.

Backbiting, hypocrisy, dishonesty at the Vatican; where are the grownups on this planet?

I used to think that teachers lounges were particularly good examples of backbiting, hypocrisy and dishonesty. But as I learned more about the world, I found that almost every organization I came across exhibited this very same behavior. I used to think 90% of people were honest--but that might be because I spent 27 years of my life teaching elementary school.

But in 2001 I was introduced to the real world, and I've gotten to know the layers of society that have some power. Now I think that 90% of people are dishonest. I came to this conclusion after doing a series of depositions of elementary school teachers, administrators and lawyers, and examining the actions of administrators and board members.

I now think that 90% of organizations are corrupt. I happen to be personally familiar with corruption in schools. When our schools and our clergy fail our children, it's more shocking than when some faceless corporation violates the law.

The thing that bothers me most about the clique in the Vatican is the hypocrisy and dishonesty. It's become very obvious over the past twenty years that the Church would be a better institution if priests were allowed to marry, and if women were allowed to be priests. After all, this isn't the first time in history that the Catholic Church has behaved in a heinous manner.

The world has changed, and the inability to marry has become a deal breaker for too many of the people who would be wonderful priests. Also, many of the people who would be wonderful priests are female.

I was talking to a female Episcopal priest in San Diego, and she told me how she had felt unworthy to be a priest.

I said, "But then you read about all the priests who abuse children, and you quit feeling unworthy, right?

She smiled and nodded her head.

Scandals and Intrigue Heat Up at Vatican Ahead of Papal Conclave

By RACHEL DONADIO
New York Times
February 23, 2013

VATICAN CITY — As cardinals from around the world begin arriving in Rome for a conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI, new shadows have fallen over the delicate transition, which the Vatican fears might influence the vote and with it the direction of the Roman Catholic Church.
v In recent days, often speculative reports in the Italian news media — some even alleging gay sex scandals in the Vatican, others focusing on particular cardinals stung by the child sex abuse crisis — have dominated headlines, suggesting fierce internal struggles as prelates scramble to consolidate power and attack enemies in the dying days of a troubled papacy.

...The volley of news reports since appeared to underscore the backbiting in the Vatican that Benedict was unable to control, and provided a hint of why he might have decided that someone younger and stronger should lead the church...

Priest who knew about abuse and kept quiet given 6-year prison term

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
Edmund Burke

Sexual predators in Philadelphia Catholic Churches (and schools!) could not have continued if Msgr. William Lynn had gone to the authorities. Lynn's silence allowed many priests to continue their predation, so it is perhaps appropriate that he got a longer sentence than one priest who abused children. (Of course, there are other cases where it is obvious that the less guilty person got a more severe sentence.)

Philadelphia Monsignor Gets Up to Six Years in Prison
Peter Loftus
Wall Street Journal
July 24, 2012

A Roman Catholic monsignor was sentenced Tuesday to as many as six years in prison for allowing a priest suspected of sexual misconduct with a minor to have continued contact with children.

The penalty for Msgr. William Lynn, 61, came a month after a Philadelphia jury found him guilty of child endangerment. The verdict marked the first time a senior U.S. Church official was convicted of a criminal charge related to allegations of covering up sexual abuse of minors by other priests. Msgr. Lynn, served as secretary for clergy in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from 1992 to 2004, a job that included investigating abuse allegations lodged against priests in the diocese.

"You knew full well what was right, Monsignor Lynn, but you chose wrong," Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge M. Teresa Sarmina told the cleric before handing down a sentence of three to six years in a state prison.

Before the judge sentenced him, Msgr. Lynn apologized to the abuse victim at the center of the case. "I did the best with what I could…but the fact is my best was not good enough to stop the harm, and for that, I am sorry." Msgr. Lynn wasn't charged with abusing any children.

His conviction was based on evidence that in the 1990s he recommended a new assignment for a priest, Edward Avery, to live in a rectory near a church school despite having determined that Mr. Avery committed sexual misconduct with a boy several years earlier. In his new assignment, Mr. Avery sexually assaulted a 10-year-old altar boy in 1999; the now-defrocked Mr. Avery is serving 2½ to five years in prison after pleading guilty in March to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and conspiracy.

Monsignor William Lynn, shown in June, was sentenced to six years in prison for allowing a priest suspected of sexual misconduct with a minor to have continued contact with children.

Msgr. Lynn's sentence fell short of the maximum of 3½ to seven years in prison but was above court guidelines of nine to 18 months. Judge Sarmina said she exceeded the guidelines because Msgr. Lynn endangered children who were exposed to Mr. Avery for several years after Msgr. Lynn became aware of the prior abuse allegations against Mr. Avery. She also said Msgr. Lynn facilitated and supported other accused priests, including one she called a "monster in clerical garb."

"A lesser sentence would depreciate the seriousness of the crime," said Judge Sarmina.

Victims' advocates and prosecutors were hoping for the maximum but said Tuesday the sentence would still send a message. "The message is clear: Victims have to come first, before institutions," Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams said after the sentencing.

Msgr. Lynn's supporters called the sentence excessive, arguing that his hands were tied because his superiors controlled assignments for priests. Some said it was unfair that Mr. Avery, who pleaded guilty to committing abuse, received a lesser prison term than Msgr. Lynn...

Two Penn State officials charged in connection with sex-abuse investigation

Two Penn State officials charged in connection with sex-abuse investigation
November 05, 2011
By Joe Juliano
INQUIRER

In a development that strikes very close to Joe Paterno's storied football program, Pennsylvania State University athletic director Tim Curley and another university official were charged Saturday with perjury related to a child sexual abuse investigation of longtime Nittany Lions assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office said Curley, 57, and Gary Schultz, 62, Penn State's senior vice president for finance and business, also were charged with failure to report, a summary offense. The perjury count is a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

The charges against Curley and Schultz, both of Boalsburg, Pa., stem from a three-year investigation of Sandusky, 67, who spent 32 years on Paterno's staff, 23 as defensive coordinator, before retiring after the 1999 season. Sandusky was arraigned Saturday in State College on 40 counts related to the sexual abuse case against him, and released on $100,000 bail.
Ads by Google

Humana® Insurance PlansEnroll in An Affordable Humana Medicare Plan by December 7! www.Humana-Medicare.com
AARP® MedicareComplete®insured through UnitedHealthcare. Request an Agent Appointment Today. www.AARPMedicarePlans.com/Advantage

Paterno, in his 46th season as Penn State's head coach, will not be charged, authorities said.

In a four-page release, the Attorney General's Office said Paterno was informed by a graduate-assistant football coach in March 2002 that he had witnessed Sandusky allegedly involved in sexual activity with a boy in the showers of the Lasch Football Complex, where Sandusky maintained an office after his retirement.

"Paterno testified that he then called [Curley] and met with Curley the following day," the release said, "explaining that a graduate assistant had reported seeing Sandusky" involved in the activity.

Sources told the Harrisburg Patriot-News that prosecutors believe Paterno did the right thing. The newspaper also reported that Paterno will testify for the prosecution at Sandusky's trial.

Paterno, 84, the all-time winningest coach in Division I football, had no comment Saturday, athletic department spokesman Jeff Nelson said.

However, Paterno may not be completely in the clear. Twenty of the 40 counts filed against Sandusky, allegedly took place during the time he worked for Paterno, including three counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, a first-degree felony.

One accuser, now 27, testified that Sandusky initiated contact with a "soap battle" in the shower that led to multiple instances of involuntary sexual intercourse and indecent assault at Sandusky's hands, a grand jury report said.



Moral responsibility: Would a woman have handled the
Penn State child abuse allegations differently?
by Theresa Walsh Giarrusso
ajc
November 9, 2011

I keep trying to find the right words to write about the alleged child abuse by the former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. I have just been sick about it for days and keep writing draft and draft not expressing exactly what I want to say. But I feel like we should discuss it.

Michael and I lived in the Happy Valley for two years after we first were married. I worked for the local newspaper there as a reporter and an editor. Michael covered central Pennsylvania, including Penn State football, for the AP. We met Joe Paterno on many occasions. I personally talked with him multiple times at university dinners and cocktail parties. He was sweet and very much like a grandfather. I think because I have met many of the people involved in this case, it is even more shocking to me that they didn’t do more to stop this alleged abuse.

A lot is being written about the moral responsibility of Paterno and the other leaders of Penn State. I think the Pennsylvania state police Commissioner Frank Noonan said it best on Monday. While he agrees that Joe Paterno fulfilled his legal requirement when he relayed to university administrators that graduate assistant Mike McQueary had seen Sandusky attacking a young boy in the team’s locker room shower in 2002, the commissioner also questioned whether Paterno had a moral responsibility to do more.

“Somebody has to question about what I would consider the moral requirements for a human being that knows of sexual things that are taking place with a child,” Noonan said.

“I think you have the moral responsibility, anyone. Not whether you’re a football coach or a university president or the guy sweeping the building. I think you have a moral responsibility to call us.”

I think we all have a moral responsibility to watch out for the children around us – in our neighborhoods, in our schools, in our churches. We can’t turn our heads and hope the system handles it.

We need to use our intuition. (One administrator at a school had a bad feeling about
Sandusky and told him he couldn’t come back to his school.) We need to be observant. We need to ask questions. We need to step in if we see something, and we need to shout loudly if we think something even seems wrong.

I am struck by the similarities between the Penn State case and the Catholic
Church child abuse scandals. These are well-respected men. They are men reporting
to other men. You don’t hear any women’s names mentioned in the chain of command.

Would a woman have made different decisions? Would a woman have called the
police? Would a woman have immediately broken up what McQueary reportedly
testified he saw happening in the locker room shower – the alleged rape of a 10-
year-old boy?

I believe almost any woman would have immediately marched into that shower and
stopped it – even if it was her boss, her father, or someone she respected or
someone she feared.

I’m not trying to slam all men, and I think many men would have also handled things
differently. However, many men were involved and none called the police.

San Diego woman excommunicated; Catholic Church equates wrongness of pedophilia and ordaining women

Vatican Revises Abuse Process, but Causes Stir
Andrew Medichini/Associated Press
By RACHEL DONADIO
July 15, 2010

The Vatican issued revisions to its internal laws on Thursday making it easier to discipline sex-abuser priests, but caused confusion by also stating that ordaining women as priests was as grave an offense as pedophilia.

The decision to link the issues appears to reflect the determination of embattled Vatican leaders to resist any suggestion that pedophilia within the priesthood can be addressed by ending the celibacy requirement or by allowing women to become priests...


This San Diego woman has been excommunicated:

Excommunicated But Not Intimidated
by Randy Dotinga
Voice of San Diego
July 23, 2010

Jane Via, a county prosecutor, can't receive the sacraments at an official Roman Catholic Church. She can't even be buried in consecrated ground when her time comes.

Yet she gives communion, marries people -- even gays -- and takes confession. Via, who was ordained in Europe without the Vatican's approval, is apparently the only woman who claims to be a Roman Catholic priest in the county. She oversees a parish that meets in a Serra Mesa neighborhood church each Sunday evening.

The Roman Catholic Church has excommunicated all women who claim to have been ordained as priests, cutting their ties to the rituals of the faith. And earlier this month, the Vatican linked the ordination of women to pedophilia in the hierarchy of church offenses...

Sunshine is good: Lawsuit demands Vatican name priests accused of sex abuse

Lawsuit demands Vatican name priests accused of sex abuse
By Alan Duke
CNN
April 22, 2010

An Illinois man is suing the Vatican and Pope Benedict XVI for allegedly covering up sexual abuse by a priest at a Catholic school in Wisconsin.

The lawsuit demands the Vatican release the names of thousands of Catholic priests that the suit says have "credible allegations of sexual misconduct" against them...

Pope Benedict and the Holocaust

I was pleased that someone in the Vatican helped Pope Benedict rethink his position on British Bishop Richard Williamson. Pope Benedict recently lifted Williamson's excommunication, which was a bizarre move, since Williamson is a Holocaust denier. Some people claim that the pope was ill-informed, but I'm not buying that. I think he chose his aides for their extreme right-wing views, and he knew exactly what kind of advice they would give. He knew all he wanted to know.

Vatican turnaround: Holocaust denier must recant
By VICTOR L. SIMPSON, AP
February 4, 2009

The Vatican, bowing to the growing furor over Pope Benedict XVI's decision to accept a return to the church of a prelate who denied the Holocaust, made a dramatic turnaround Wednesday and demanded the bishop recant.

The Vatican sought to distance the pope from the controversy by saying he did not know about British Bishop Richard Williamson's views when he agreed to lift his excommunication last month.

In the surprisingly public spat, some leading cardinals in Germany and at the Vatican blamed unidentified aides for not fully briefing the pope.

The controversy provided a rare look at the cracks in the Vatican's facade of unity and raised questions about the advice the pope receives and his access to information. Papal aides say Benedict, a former university professor and theologian, receives a daily news summary and occasionally watches television...

Williamson was shown on Swedish state television just days before the lifting of his excommunication was announced on Jan. 24, acknowledging his view that "there was not one Jew killed by the gas chambers" during World War II...

Williamson subsequently apologized to the pope for having stirred controversy, but he did not repudiate his comments, in which he also said only 200,000 to 300,000 Jews were killed by the Nazis and none were gassed...