Margie & Andrea

Dear Friend,

After eight years of exemplary service, Margie Winters was recently fired from the Marcy Waldron Academy after someone complained about their same-sex marriage. The academy, a Catholic school sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, claims to be a "diverse faith community rooted in the gospel values of mercy and justice."

We have been working with Margie and her partner, Andrea, to provide support and give them voice during this difficult time. They want to tell you this:

"The experience of the last six weeks has been extremely painful for Andrea and me [Margie]. The support that we've received during this time has been overwhelming. This community has held us up and has accompanied us every step of the way. The experience has shown us that many in the church desire an inclusive church that bases its decisions on love and mercy. We desire a place at the table in this Church that we so deeply love and in which we know we can be of service."

Stand with Margie and Andrea and tell our Church leaders that firing someone for their same-sex relationship is not congruent with the Gospel values of mercy and justice:

Sr. Patricia Vetrano, President of the Mid-Atlantic Sisters of Mercy of the Americas pvetrano@mercymidatlantic.org

Abp. Chaput, Archbishop of Philadelphia shepherd@chs-adphila.org

Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller, Perfect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith cdf@cfaith.va

Even a small note would speak up for equality and justice in our church.Call To Action is fortunate to have gotten to know Margie and Andrea better the past several days. They are inspiring us to transform Church!

In solidarity,

Jim FitzGerald, Executive Director