San Francisco archdiocese updates teachers' handbook

Lawmakers take issue with 'morality clauses'

Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco addresses participants in the
March for Marriage in Washington June 19, 2014. (Photo: Tyler Orsburn / CNS)

The archdiocese of San Francisco has released a revised teachers' handbook asking high school faculty to avoid publicly challenging Church teachings:

"Archdiocesan officials said the statement represents the religious beliefs formally affirmed by the schools, but individual teachers will not be required to sign documents that attest to their own beliefs in these doctrinal teachings.

That said, the statement calls on teachers to 'avoid fostering confusion among the faithful and any dilution of the schools' primary Catholic mission.'"

But lawmakers are urging the archbishop to withdraw the handbook's "morality clauses," which are largely to do with Church teaching on sexual morality.