RPCV Bob Herring gets job back
Nativity principal gets job back
By Kevin Eigelbach
Post staff reporter
Now that Principal Bob Herring has his job back, the really tough work starts at the Nativity of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church in Pleasant Ridge.
When Father Marc Sherlock, the parish pastor, fired the popular Herring on Nov. 24, he angered many parishioners.
"There are a lot of hurt people, and it's going to take a while for it to heal," said parishioner Dave Hermann, who has three boys in the school.
Herring's supporters greeted Monday's reinstatement news with glee.
"There's nothing more I need for Christmas this year," PTA President Mike Garry said. "We're pleased that Father Marc was responsive to the needs of the parishioners."
"It's so exciting to see something good come from all the hard work that everyone has done," said Shelley Castellini, who has three children in the school.
Many felt that Sherlock abused his power, Hermann said, and that's why there was such an outpouring of support for Herring.
Supporters went en masse to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati offices downtown and secured a hearing with Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk. They held candlelight vigils for Herring, had many meetings, and demonstrated with picket signs in front of the church. They even set up an Internet site about the case -- www.keepbobherring.com.
Herring said Monday that the parishioners' support made him feel very good.
He declined to discuss the details of the agreement he made Monday with Sherlock that gave him his job back.
"It's a good agreement. We had mediation, and it was successful," he said. "It has been an interesting three weeks."
He said that, weather permitting, he looks forward Wednesday morning to resuming his customary greeting of kids on the school playground before classes open. He hasn't been back to the school since he was fired.
Herring had served as principal of Nativity School for 19 years.
Sherlock has kept quiet about his reasons for firing Herring, saying that he couldn't discuss the matter publicly because it related to a personnel issue.
According to www.keepbobherring.com, at a parish meeting Dec. 10, Sherlock said he believed he made a good decision based on substantial facts.
"I did not make this decision lightly or without forethought. I sought counsel from knowledgeable people before I took any action," he said, according to the Web site.
Sherlock, pastor at Nativity since 2000, did not respond to a phone message left for him on Monday. He has set a meeting for 7 p.m. tonight to talk with his parishioners.
They hope to get some answers to their questions, Castellini said, one of which is how Sherlock will continue his role as pastor of the parish.
She hopes his rehiring of Herring shows that he truly wants to become part of the parish "instead of just a figurehead," she said.
It would go a long way to mend fences if he would admit he was wrong, she said.
Hermann agreed. "A lot of people aren't happy with him. He's going to have to make a conscious effort to be more open with the parishioners."
Publication Date: 12-16-2003
