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Tuesday, September 6, 2005

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The perils of teaching in Italy

Reuters reports on a potential case of discriminatory hiring and firing practices in Italy:

Was it her looks or lifestyle that led the Roman Catholic Church to cause a minor media frenzy by firing an Italian religion teacher this year?

Caterina Bonci said Church authorities decided she was just too attractive and dressed too sexy to teach religion after 14 years on the job.

The Church says it sacked the 38-year-old blonde from the central Adriatic city of Fano because she is divorced.

Even Italy’s leading newspaper, Corriere della Sera, gave readers a break from pages of stories about scandal at the Bank of Italy and government bickering with the teasing headline:

“Teacher in mini-skirt fired by diocese.”

Bonci said she separated from her husband in 1995 and divorced in 2000 and that both events had not affected her job or raised eyebrows from her employers at the time.

She said reports that fathers accompanied their children to religion classes so they could look at her meant little to her as long as the children came to class.

As a public service for readers of danieldrezner.com, below is a photo of Ms. Bonci.

Readers can judge for themselves.

posted by Dan on 09.06.05 at 06:03 PM

Comments:

PTA meetings in Italy must be lots of fun...

posted by: yomama on 09.06.05 at 06:03 PM [permalink]

I knew an English-language teacher in Italy when I lived there. Discrimination should surprise no-one.

posted by: Don Stadler on 09.06.05 at 06:03 PM [permalink]

It would be easier if a picture in a mini-skirt would be included...

posted by: Bart on 09.06.05 at 06:03 PM [permalink]

Monica Bellucci she ain't.

posted by: Scipio on 09.06.05 at 06:03 PM [permalink]

The Church says it sacked the 38-year-old blonde from the central Adriatic city of Fano because she is divorced.

I suppose she's blonde, but she's certainly no natural blonde. One would think she would bleach her roots before posing for publicity shots.

posted by: Xavier on 09.06.05 at 06:03 PM [permalink]

She can teach me anything anytime!

Remember..This is the catholic church...They're idiots.

posted by: James on 09.06.05 at 06:03 PM [permalink]

I wonder what she looked like when she started teaching religion 15 years ago?

posted by: Bruce Bartlett on 09.06.05 at 06:03 PM [permalink]

maybe it's her personality and dress. I don't associate someone who wears jeans with holes with a religion teacher. If she was an investment banker and fired for her attire, would it be a big story? The Catholic Church has certain standards too.

posted by: Joseph on 09.06.05 at 06:03 PM [permalink]

holes in jeans? Is that why she was fired? Did she ask for a raise to afford patches?

Actually, now that she's been fired, she can write a book, and be able to afford patches

posted by: holeD on 09.06.05 at 06:03 PM [permalink]

Do you think Selma could get a job teaching Spanish there?

posted by: Robert m on 09.06.05 at 06:03 PM [permalink]

I'd convert.

(Nice thick-assed Italian chicks ROCK!!!)

posted by: NeoDude on 09.06.05 at 06:03 PM [permalink]

She's obviously a Brunette that has been bleached; a Bleached Brunette. Please try to refrain from tarring Blondes with the Bleached Brunette brush. Pass it on.

posted by: blonderella on 09.06.05 at 06:03 PM [permalink]