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Louisiana Catholic School Fires Gay Music Teacher After Parent Flags Husband’s Obituary

  • Writer: Victor Nwoko
    Victor Nwoko
  • 6 days ago
  • 2 min read
Mark Richards claimed he was fired after a parent discovered his husband’s obituary
Mark Richards claimed he was fired after a parent discovered his husband’s obituary

A longtime music teacher at a Catholic school in Metairie, Louisiana, has been fired after a parent discovered his late husband’s obituary and accused him of violating the school’s morality clause.


Mark Richards, who taught for more than two decades at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, was dismissed following a complaint made to the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The complaint alleged Richards had misrepresented his personal life by not disclosing his same-sex marriage, which allegedly contravenes the moral expectations outlined in the school’s employment agreement.


“It’s just a stab in the back,” Richards said. “I was stunned. It’s just a sad reality that this is the world we live in today. It’s heartbreaking. I enjoyed teaching at this school. I loved those kids.”

Richards married his husband, John Messinger, in 2014
Richards married his husband, John Messinger, in 2014

The controversy began when a parent came across the obituary of Richards’ husband, John Messinger, who passed away in 2023 from a heart attack. The parent reported the obituary to the Archdiocese, accusing Richards of dishonesty about his living situation and relationship status. Richards stated that administrators were aware of his marital status and had never raised any concerns prior to the complaint.


“Because I had signed 20 years of contracts with the morality clause, they said I had lied,” Richards explained. “That was the reason for my dismissal. But I haven’t lied on my contracts for the last two years. I live with three dogs.”


The school’s morality clause reportedly prohibits a range of actions, including “actively engaging in homosexual activity,” obtaining an abortion, or becoming pregnant or fathering a child outside of wedlock.

Messinger died in 2023 after a heart attack
Messinger died in 2023 after a heart attack

“If John had been a woman, we wouldn’t be sitting here—it wouldn’t be a problem,” Richards said, pointing out what he believes is a discriminatory double standard.


Richards and Messinger married in 2014 and were together until Messinger’s death in 2023. St. Francis Xavier later informed parents in an email that Richards “is not returning” for the 2025–2026 school year. The email expressed regret over how the news was received and emphasized that no administrator or teacher is guaranteed more than a one-year contract. No further comment was offered.

St. Francis Xavier confirmed that Richards “is not returning” to the faculty in the 2025-2026 school year
St. Francis Xavier confirmed that Richards “is not returning” to the faculty in the 2025-2026 school year

The school’s stated philosophy includes a commitment to fostering a Christian worldview that touches every aspect of student development—spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, and cultural.


Following Richards’ dismissal, over 1,500 parents have signed a petition calling for the morality clause to be revised. Parent Katheryn Lee stated, “I would like the line regarding homosexuality in the morality clause that educators sign to be removed. Your identity is not your morality. I hope we have a voice in this.”

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