Archdiocese Spokesman: Archbishop Alexander K. Sample Played No Role in St. Mary's Firing

Controversy continues to swirl around St. Mary's Academy after a WW story revealing the all-girls' Catholic prep school fired staffer Lauren Brown after she told them she's gay.

Many parents and alumni, while disappointed in the school, have alleged the decision was forced by Portland Archbishop Alexander K. Sample, a strong opponent of same-sex marriage.

But the spokesman for the Archdiocese of Portland tells WW that Sample played no role in the decision.

WW asked spokesman David J. Renshaw what involvement Sample had in withdrawing St. Mary's contract offer to Brown.

"None," Renshaw replied.

We also asked what consequences St. Mary's could face from the Archdiocese if it bowed to public outcry and reversed its decision.

"There would be no direct consequence from us," Renshaw wrote back, "as St. Mary's is run by the Holy Names Sisters and NOT the Archdiocese of Portland."

Sample has vocally supported St. Mary's decision.

On Tuesday, as WW prepared to report the story of Brown's firing, Sample offered a statement backing St. Mary's decision to withdraw her decision.

"The Archdiocese of Portland supports St. Mary's Academy and the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in upholding the teachings of the Catholic Church," Sample wrote. "We expect that given certain reassurances by the Federal Government in the wake of the recent Supreme Court Ruling making 'Same-Sex Unions' the law of the land, our religious liberty would be protected in this case as well as any future cases of this sort."

WWeek 2015