Calling Catholic teachers greedy is a blatant and terrible untruth

The following letter to the editor appeared in the Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice, April 5, 2008:

Editor:

Reading the most recent idiotic and unreal accusations being made against the teachers working for the schools in the Diocese of Scranton appalled me almost beyond disbelief.

In the latest, badly executed diatribe against those educators, Bill Genello, a diocesesan public relations representative, petulantly parroted Bishop Joseph Martino’s ongoing allegations of greed as motivation for the teachers’ unthinkable and selfish desire to choose their own union representatives.

Has anyone at the diocesesan headquarters even remotely contemplated the possible consequences of the ever-increasing swell of public support for the teachers? Probably, no.

Parochial school educators historically, and on a national basis, earn a lower salary than any public or secular private school teacher.

I know this because, for the last 30-plus years, my two younger sisters have been hard-working, faithful Catholic teachers in parochial school systems; one in an elementary school and one in a high school.

They have both gone far beyond the call of duty, both in and out of the classrooms for their students — not due to any wish for a larger paycheck.

They have both given unselfishly of their own time, energy and personal finances to enrich the learning process for their students — not because it was part of their job requirements.

They have both demonstrated an unflinching loyalty to their faith, their schools and their dedication to their chosen professions — not due to any unrealistic hopes for cash and/or benefit increases.

The office solemnly charged with the local religious community’s spiritual and educational well-being is publicly treating our local teachers like money- and power-hungry monsters intent on trying to destroy the very fabric of the educational system and the diocese. This scenario would be ludicrous if it weren’t so damaging to all involved.

I defy anyone to claim that any teacher in any state in this country goes into the parochial school system with visions of dollar signs dancing in their heads.I defy anyone to claim it is the right of this bishop to defame and vilify any member of his religious community for merely requesting of him the simple human decency to take the time to listen with an open mind.

I defy anyone to claim that the teachers in this diocese are being herded about like sheep by the leaders of the SDACT with alleged malicious intent to harm their students and the Catholic apostate.

To Bishop Martino: In letter you wrote in February on the personnel practices for the Diocese of Scranton, members of this community were reminded about how “unions protected coal miners, factory workers and other laborers from being exploited by unscrupulous companies.

”If, as you stated, “our classrooms are not coal mines,” why is your attitude so reminiscent of a mine boss?

Sue McCarty

Sugar Notch