MEDIA COVERAGE

Bishop maintains Sister Michaelinda voluntarily resigned

The following is the statement released to the media last Wednesday [November 29, 1995] by Bishop Sean O'Malley.

The communications media recently published reports about Sister Michaelinda Plante, R.S.M.'s leaving her employment with the Department of Education of the Diocese of Fall River. In order that false conclusions may not be drawn, I believe it would be helpful to make public the following facts.

Sister Michaelinda was never dismissed from her position as associate superintendent of schools. She was placed on temporary administrative leave during which time she decided to tender a letter of resignation. At no time did the diocese ask for sister's resignation.

Furthermore, I did not act on this request for some time, thereby providing her opportunity to reconsider her decision. Sister Michaelinda gave no indication that she would withdraw the letter. After consulting with her religious community, I accepted sister's request to resign from her position in the diocesan department of education.

In consideration of sister's years of service in the diocesan education office, an appropriate severance package was provided. She was paid her monthly salary for the remaining nine months of her contract. In addition, the automobile she had used while working in the education office was given to her community for her use. At times I am as confused as you must be by the stories swirling around this matter in the press, but I can assure you that the diocesan department of education acted with fairness and justice.

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