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BUTTE – The Diocese of Helena is defending its decision to fire an unwed Butte Central Catholic Schools teacher because she is pregnant.

Shaela Evenson taught sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade literature and physical education at the school for the past nine years. She was dismissed Jan. 10 after the Helena diocese received an anonymous letter about her pregnancy.

Superintendent of Catholic schools Patrick Haggarty defended the decision in a Wednesday interview with the Montana Standard.

“It’s not easy being a Christian or a Catholic in today’s world,” Haggarty said in a phone interview. “Our faith asks us to do things that right now are not popular with society. I’m really OK, I’m not comfortable, but I’m OK with what’s transpired. Being a Christian is this way; we’re asked to do things that are not popular with our society.”

Haggarty and the diocese are facing harsh criticism over the firing, especially on social media where some Catholics are calling for Haggarty to be ousted. Others are sending Twitter messages supporting Evenson under the hashtag #JusticeForShaela.