Wilken and Schwarz issued a gag order with severance offer

Apparently the LCMS has been SO generous as to grant Wilken and Schwarz a severance package, at least. Whew, you say -- that takes care of some of our concerns for them at least for a while. Maybe the leadership has some compassion after all!

But wait... here are the terms:

http://rasburrysres.blogspot.com/2008/03/letter-to-my-congregation.html

Now Pr. Wilken and Mr. Schwarz are without means – salary and benefits – to provide for their families. Not only that, but the Schwarz family has an especially unique need as Jeff’s wife, Beth, suffers from a nerve disorder, and is in the process of getting into the Mayo Clinic to see what can be done. A standard severance package has been offered to both Wilken and Schwarz, but it comes with the string of a “gag order” attached. (That is, they are being asked to sign a document stating that they will not discuss the conditions of their termination of employment.) The Issues, Etc. team is seeking legal counsel before they accept the conditional severance package.

This cannot possibly be ethical.

Hm.. Can Jeff accept the severance and so receive help for his wife, and Todd not accept it (not that Todd's family couldn't benefit from the temporary assistance)... I have to wonder what their response would be.  Would BOTH have to agree before either one can get assistance?