Catholic School Recalls Invitations With Ellen DeGeneres Photo; Principal Says She Is a 'Poor Role Model'
The principal of a Catholic school in Pennsylvania has removed the photo of talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, used in the school's invitation for an Oscars-themed graduation dance, calling DeGeneres "a poor role model" who lives her life "outside the teachings" of the church.
While not specifically mentioning DeGeneres' marriage to actress Portia de Rossi, St. Andrew Elementary School principal Nancy Matteo admitted to parents that she was "completely wrong" to initially use the comedian's photo for the invitations, Philly.com reported on Wednesday.
"Perhaps I was distracted by the Oscar," Matteo explained herself in the email to the parents.
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"A role model, as defined by Webster's Dictionary, is a person who is unusually effective or inspiring in some social role, job, position, etc.," the email continues. "This does not describe her at all. We work so hard to be good role models and then I go and do something stupid!"
The photo used of DeGeneres shows her hosting the Oscars, something which she has done on two separate occasions. It also includes a photo of her giving out pizza along with a pizza delivery guy at the 86th Academy Awards, which was a popular segment from this years' awards.
Matteo added that she will personally destroy every one of the invitations that were handed out, but will also distribute new ones.
"Once again, I am sorry for my lack of forethought. I look forward to receiving the old invitations and distributing new ones," she added.
Official Roman Catholic Church teachings support traditional marriage between one man and one woman, and Catholic schools often make their staff sign contracts stating that they will uphold the teachings of the church.
Earlier in May, an Ohio Catholic schoolteacher from Cincinnati decided to quit her job rather than sign a new contract that speaks out against homosexual lifestyles.
Molly Shumate explained that she is doing so in support of her son, who is gay, though school officials said the contract, which states that teachers must agree "to exemplify Catholic principles and to refrain from any conduct or lifestyle which would reflect discredit on or cause scandal to the School or be in contradiction to Catholic doctrine or morals," does not ask people to abandon their family members.
