Sam Diener
Co-Editor, Peacework Magazine writes in support of Stephen Kobasa

Dear Stephen,

We value your role as a peacemaker (and as a writer for Peacework Magazine).

When I heard the outrageous news of your dismissal for conscience, I wanted to immediately do what I could to support you, and to research the matter for a possible story in Peacework. The story is in process, but I wanted to report to you, and to the community at large, what I have learned so far right away. Therefore, I'm making this letter available on the Jonah House website.

I called the school seeking comment on Friday the 14th of October, 2005. They said the Principal would call back but I haven't yet heard. I also called the Diocese, and was referred to Joseph McAleer, the Diocese spokesperson. He referred me to the following statement on their website:

The Diocese of Bridgeport issues a statement on Catholic School Classrooms:
BRIDGEPORT, Thursday, October 13, 2005, 5:45 p.m. - On behalf of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Joseph McAleer, spokesman, has issued the following statement: "It is with regret that we confirm that Mr. Stephen Kobasa is no longer a member of the faculty of Kolbe Cathedral High School in Bridgeport. "It is not our policy to comment on any internal personnel matter. "Our Catholic Schools provide a dynamic learning environment in which respect for the opinions of others as well as respect for school property are both key components. "The Diocese of Bridgeport has long believed that the American flag is an important fixture in its Catholic School classrooms." (downloaded from < http://www.bridgeportdiocese.com/story_flag.shtml > on 2005-10-14)

When asked what the importance of the US flag is to Catholic schools, Joseph McAleer responded, "That should be self-explanatory." When informed that it was not, he said, "The US flag should be important to everyone." When asked if the US flag should be important to everyone in the world, for example, to a Catholic person in El Salvador whose family member was murdered by US government sponsored death squads, McAleer responded, "I'm not a spokesperson for the whole world, just for the Diocese of Bridgeport."

McAleer declined to say whether it was the policy of the Diocese to fire any teacher who refused to fly the flag in the classroom, saying, "I refuse to speculate." When asked if teachers in the Diocese were informed about whether or not such a policy existed, McAleer said he didn't know.

When asked if the Diocese, by adopting a policy of mandatory flag flying in its classrooms, and firing a teacher who violated it, was violating Pope John's 1963 encyclical, "Pacem in Terris," < http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_xxiii/encyclicals/documents/ hf_j-xxiii_enc_11041963_pacem_en.html> on the importance of honoring freedom of conscience in defiance of the state, McAleer said, "I am not familiar with Pacem in Terris." When asked if the Catholic schools in the Diocese sought to inform students about the Pope's Encyclical on peace, he replied, "We seek to inform the community about all Catholic teachings."

When asked if he would attempt to obtain a statement from the Bishop regarding the apparent conflict between Pacem in Terris and the policy of mandating the flying of a national flag, McAleer said he would not.

McAleer refused to comment on whether the Diocese believed it was more important to honor the US flag or the Catholic cross.

Because McAleer refused to comment on so many of these issues, I called the Bishop's office and attempted to get further clarification. They said they would transfer me to Joseph McAleer. When I informed the person who answered that I was asking questions that McAleer had informed me he wasn't free to discuss, so I wanted to talk with someone who was free to discuss them, the person hung up the phone.

In Peace, Sam Diener
Co-Editor, Peacework Magazine,
"Global Thought and Local Action for Nonviolent Social Change" American Friends Service Committee - New England pwork@igc.org www.afsc.org/peacework 617.661.6130 P.S.

To read an article by Stephen Kobasa published in Peacework, please see "A Lesson for Martha Stewart -- And for Us All" in the November 2004 Peacework, at http://www.afsc.org/pwork/0411/041124.htm