The Associated Press (AP) reports that a woman who has been teaching Sunday School at The First Baptist Church in New York for 54 years was suddenly dismissed from her job on August 9 because of her gender.

The teacher, Mary Lambert, received a letter of explanation along with her dismissal from the Reverend Timothy LaBouf as he quoted Biblical scripture in his literal interpretation that woman are not allowed to teach or have authority over men.

LaBouf also serves on the local city council in which all the council members are men, but the city manager is a woman.

On Saturday, the AP reported that LaBouf stated, "I believe that a woman can perform any job and fulfill any responsibility that she desires to" outside of the church.

According to a statement issued by the church board members, there were other issues not named that also determined the dismissal of Lambert.