"This was a student-led vigil that we organized," Olivia Hohe, a student at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, told BuzzFeed News. "All participants dressed in all black clothes and came with supportive signs for our teachers. While the teachers were in the cathedral, we led a prayer service outside in the middle of a storm!"

"Then we formed a single line from the steps of the cathedral, connecting to Sacred Heart, which is on the next block," Hohe said. "Faculty, staff, representatives, nuns, Brothers, and Sisters left the Cathedral and walked down our silent, student-led streets. Many teachers were crying and thanking us for our support."

Like other Catholic bishops, Archbishop Cordileone oversees all the churches and schools in his diocese. His decree would apply to nearly 500 employees at four high schools. In a letter to teachers, he wrote, "I wish to state clearly and emphatically that the intention underlying this document is not to target for dismissal from our schools any teachers."

Despite San Francisco's reputation as an LGBT-friendly city, Cordileone has become a prominent figure there fighting LGBT rights, helping draft an initiative to ban same-sex marriage, and donating money to the campaign. Cordileone also opposed a federal bill that would have banned discrimination against LGBT employees.

Around the country, Catholic bishops have been cracking down on LGBT teachers, especially those who get married to same-sex partners. In January, a Catholic diocese in North Carolina fired a 68-year-old English instructor who announced plans to marry his partner.