Diocese leader speaks out on gay man’s job denial
A local man said he was denied a teaching job because he is gay. Now, the leader of the Des Moines Diocese is speaking out.
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Tyler McCubbin said the Dowling Catholic High School president made him an offer for a full-time teaching position, but later revoked it based on his sexual orientation.
Bishop Richard Pates is the leader of the Des Moines Diocese. He said that McCubbin wasn't denied the job because he's gay, but due to the openness of his sexual orientation.
“We accept everybody, we love everybody. Everybody is always welcome within the context of the Catholic Church,” Pates said.
As a private school, Dowling said it has a legal right to make hires based on what is in line with the Catholic Church’s doctrine.
But, McCubbin already an employee of the school. He has been a substitute teacher and volunteer track coach at the school since September 2014.
"I walk into Dowling every day, actually. [I’m] really blessed to be able to substitute at a school like Dowling. The structure is great, the kids are great,” he said.
He said school officials were impressed and a school leader said McCubbin was their pick. But after a background check and social media scan a few days later, school leaders discovered something that made them think twice.
With a few clicks online, anyone can see McCubbin is in a same-sex relationship.
“I said, ‘Yes it's true. I’ve been engaged for almost a year now.’ And they said, ‘Because of that, we can't offer you the contract,’” McCubbin said.
KCCI’s Ryan Smith wanted to know why McCubbin is allowed to stay on as a substitute teacher and volunteer track coach, yet the school will not hire him as a full-time teacher.
"A substitute teacher comes on in an immediate need, and then as they were going through that whole process of the application, that's when this surfaced. Based on church doctrine, he should not be a sub,” Pates said.
Pates also said McCubbin shouldn’t be allowed to be a volunteer track coach either.
There is a clear disconnect between what Pates said and how Dowling school officials handled McCubbin's part-time employment.
School officials would not comment specifically on McCubbin's employment, but Dowling Superintendent Luvern Gubbels sent KCCI this statement:
“Catholic schools are an extension of the church and are committed to following the church's teachings and doctrine in employment matters. Our contracts contain specific language that outline the expected code of conduct in accord with long accepted Church teaching.
"Dowling Catholic goes through a multi-phased hiring process, which includes interviews, a traditional background check and a social media scan. If at any time during that period the candidate or the organization identifies an issue, the school is prohibited from extending a written offer. It is possible that an individual could be alerted verbally of interest before the hiring process is complete. Regardless of any verbal communication, the school’s process is not complete until a formal written offer is extended."
McCubbin said this situation has left him heartbroken.
"What's so shocking is in an institution where they preach tolerance and love and respect for everyone, no matter what your background is, they don't uphold to those teachings,” McCubbin said.
As for McCubbin being told he had the job, school officials admitted it is possible that an individual could be alerted verbally of interest before the hiring process is complete.
DCHS employment contracts will be issued Friday.
For more on this story, watch KCCI 8 News at Ten tonight. Smith will examine the letter the superintendent sent home to parents after KCCI broke the story Monday night.
We’ll also hear from a Dowling graduate, Sen. Matt McCoy, who is calling on Dowling alums to stop donating.
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