A Virginia man has filed a
discrimination claim against the Catholic Diocese of Richmond after
he was let go from a diocese-owned assisted living home because he's
married to another man.
John Murphy, 63, was hired to run the
Saint Francis Home in Richmond. About a week into his job, he was
informed by deputies of Bishop Francis Xavier DiLorenzo that he was
being removed because his marriage runs counter to Catholic
teachings.
“I thought I found a safe place where
I could do good and I won't be judged and I won't be ostracized,”
Murphy told the AP. “People being discriminated against because of
who they love, when it has nothing to do with their performance, is
outrageous.”
The diocese only supports the home in
indirect ways, such as allowing it to solicit funds from
parishioners, a spokesperson said.
Murphy said that he had been open about
his marriage and was told by the president of the home's board of
directors that it would not be a problem. The board is appointed by
Bishop DiLorenzo.
According to New Ways Ministries, more
than 50 LGBT people have reported losing their jobs at Catholic
institutions since 2010.
Murphy filed his claim with the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which in July ruled that
employers cannot discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.