Gay Administrator Sues Wash. Catholic School Over Firing

The former vice principal of a suburban Seattle parochial school who was fired after marrying his same-sex partner has filed a wrongful-dismissal suit against the institution, Religion News Service reports.

Mark Zmuda contends his duties at Eastside Catholic School were “purely administrative and unrelated to any religious practice or activity.” Washington’s state Supreme Court ruled last month that faith-affiliated nonprofits can be sued for job discrimination if the employee’s work is not related to religion.

Mr. Zmuda’s ouster in December touched off a protest among Eastside students and parents that prompted the school’s chief executive to resign. Eastside filed a motion to dismiss the suit, arguing that the case threatens its religious freedom. The Archdiocese of Seattle is backing the school, saying in a statement that its decision to fire Mr. Zmuda “is consistent with Catholic teaching.”