Students protest Springfield teacher's resignation

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The controversial resignation of a high school dean and athletic director led to a passionate protest in Springfield Sunday.

Christine Judd quit Cathedral High School after marrying her same sex partner over the summer, and some of the demonstrators believe her sudden departure wasn't fair

Students say Judd stepped down Friday after 12 years of service because of her marriage over the summer to her same sex partner.

“When I found out she was terminated and I found out why she was terminated, I was outraged and disgusted with the decision that was made,” said student Martin Boyle. “They have people working for them who are divorced, they have people who are using contraceptives, they have students who go to the school who are pregnant, and they don't make them leave, so why should they decide to act on those principles now?”

The spokesman for the Springfield Diocese says the students' accusations are just speculation, and this is not a moral issue, but an employment issue.

Judd agreed to abide by school policy, which clearly indicates that administration members must uphold the doctrine and teachings of the Catholic Church.

“She has acknowledged to her credit, that she undertook actions this past summer, which were in violation of an agreement she freely accepted. Casting aside what she did, the nub of the issue is that we ask people to make agreements and we ask people to keep those agreements,” said Springfield Catholic Diocese spokesperson Mark Dupont.

Student protesters disagreed.

“If we're going to preach tolerance, we need to practice tolerance and I think the old ways are prohibiting us from doing that. We just think it's time for the church to progress,” said Alexandra Nicolai

Parishioners also weighed in.

“I hear them screaming out there and they're absolutely correct. Who are we to judge? That's one of the main things we believe in church. We are not the ones to judge anybody, because God Almighty does that,” Tatiana Flores said.

At this time, it's unclear if Judd will take any legal action.

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