Spain's Supreme Court Upholds Privacy Award Against Church

Catholic News Agency yesterday reported on a decision handed down earlier this week by Spain's Supreme Court upholding an award of back pay and reinstatement entered against the Catholic Diocese of Canarias. The Diocese is located in Spain's Canary Islands. Maria del Carmen Galayo, who had been hired by the Diocese to teach religion, was fired after she left her husband and began living with another man. The Diocese said her adulterous relationship was not compatible with the moral principles that those who teach religion to minors are required to publicly display. Galayo sued claiming Church officials had "unduly interfered in her private life." A lower court agreed, and the Supreme Court upheld its decision. The Diocese can still appeal the reinstatement order to Spain's Constitutional Court.