University Defends Firing Of Gay Employee

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Roman Catholic officials are defending Benedictine University's actions leading up to the departure of the school's education director.

The State Journal-Register in Springfield reports Laine Tadlock was forced out last month, or resigned according to the university, because her wedding to partner, Kae Helstrom, was announced in the newspaper. The women were married in Iowa.

Bishop Thomas Paprocki of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield says Benedictine officials decided it would not be consistent with the university's mission as a Catholic institution for Tadlock to continue in her job. He says Tadlock rejected a new position the school offered her, which officials considered a resignation.

Paprocki says it was her public disregard "for fundamental Catholic beliefs,'' not her sexual orientation, that guided the university's decision-making.

Tadlock says she has no regrets about publishing her wedding announcement.