Brebeuf Appeals Archbishop's Decree

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A Jesuit high school that the Indianapolis Archdiocese no longer recognizes as Catholic because it refused to fire a teacher in a same-sex marriage says it's appealing that decision to the Vatican.

Brebeuf Preparatory School President the Rev. Bill Verbryke sent a letter to the school community Sunday saying the head of the Jesuits' Midwest Province has asked the Congregation for Catholic Education in Rome to overrule a decree issued by Archbishop Charles Thompson in June saying the school "will no longer be identified or recognized" as Catholic.

Verbryke also says Thompson will allow himself and another Brebeuf priest to celebrate daily Mass in the school chapel before classes start but won't permit other Masses during the upcoming school year.

Archdiocesan spokesman Greg Otolski confirmed the decision on Brebeuf's Masses.