Update Parishioners Protest Church Worker Firing, WKOW, May 4, 2009

Update: Parishioners Protest Church Worker Firing

WKOW
May 4, 2009

http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10294637&nav=menu1362_2

[information from the Diocese of Madison]

MADISON (WKOW) -- Bishop Robert Morlino is standing by his decision to terminate Ruth Kolpack.

The Diocese posted a lengthy Question and Answer statement on its webside, including the following statement:

Q: Is it possible for Ms. Kolpack to be reinstated? A: The bishop's prudential judgment to no longer allow Ms. Kolpack to continue teaching in one of his parishes is not likely to be reversed. However, the bishop has stated that we should "never say never" in this regard.

According to the Wisconsin State Journal, a spokesperson for the Diocese says while Kolpack is banned from paid or volunteer leadership roles, she can sing in the choir.

The following is a link to the Q & A on the website of the Madison Catholic Diocese.

http://www.madisondiocese.org/Portals/0/Kolpack%20FAQs%20-%20for%20Web%204.0.pdf

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MADISON (WKOW) -- The controversial firing of a Beloit church worker had people protesting and marching in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Madison.

They stretched an entire city block, chanting in English and Spanish, all because of Ruth Kolpack, a former pastoral associate at Beloit's St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

Six years ago, Kolpack wrote a paper arguing for more gender-inclusive language in the church. When she refused to denounce those ideas in March 2009, she was fired. Sunday, her supporters protested that decision.

"The reasoning behind that is still convoluted," said Stephanie King, St. Thomas Church parishioner. "As we continue to try and understand the facts over the months, it doesn't add up. It doesn't make sense."

"She's a Christian woman and a tremendous example for people to be open to diversity and to help minorities and other groups in the church," said Elizabeth Tardola, St. Jude's Church parishioner.

Kolpack's supporters want Bishop Morlino of the Madison Diocese to reinstate Ruth.

"I didn't do anything to deserve being fired," Kolpack said. "People who actually know and worked with me in the parish attested to that."

Kolpach says this is a fight for church workers' rights. She worked at St. Thomas church for 35 years, now she's not even allowed to sing in the choir.

Bishop Morlino is not talking to the news media about the situation. Phone calls and e-mails to the Madison diocese were not returned.

E-mail Jeff Angileri - jangileri@wkowtv.com