Wednesday,
November 13, 2024 - A music director at
a Michigan Catholic church in the US has reportedly been fired after an unknown
source informed church officials of his same-sex marriage.
Fred Szczepanski was fired from his position at St. Francis Church in
Traverse City on Oct. 18 after the church officials discovered he had a
same-sex marriage ceremony to his longtime partner in Nevada in 2020,
according to Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Szczepanski, known by churchgoers as “Mr. Fred,” was confronted by
Rev. Michael Lingaur after church leaders received a letter from an unnamed
individual about his marriage.
When confronted, he confirmed the marriage and was informed by Lingaur
that his services were no longer needed after serving as the church’s music
director for 34 years. Szczepanski was also told he could no longer take
communion during worship services.
Following his termination, the Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan, wrote in
a statement that Szczepanski’s marriage violates the ministerial
agreement condition of his employment.
“A public act of same-sex marriage is a formal recognition that a
relationship is more than friendship, and thereby jeopardizes a ministerial
agreement for employment,” the Diocese said.
“Marriage is a permanent, faithful and exclusive covenant between one
man and one woman.”
However, the firing outraged parishioners, leading to multiple shows of
protest in support of Szczepanski.
Choir members wore black, left their seats empty, and refused to sing
during mass on Oct. 20.
Then, on Oct. 27, supporters of the longtime music director picketed
outside the church in protest before carrying signs reading: “Love Not Hate,”
“God Includes, Not Excludes,” and “Fired Not Retired.”
“People are hurt, people are sad, in a time where there is so much
controversy in the world, the church needs to be a place of peace, and instead
its turmoil after turmoil,” churchgoer Toni Stanfield told the outlet.
Some parishioners and choir members even renounced their St. Francis
church membership or planned to, according to the outlet.
A former church choir member, Liz Yarch, said she resigned over the
firing and that “some people were told” Szczepanski retired and wasn’t fired.
“Last I checked, people who have served for over 30 years get a retirement
party,” Yarch told the outlet.
“Fred was fired for his personal life and I find that cruel.”
Szczepanski had announced earlier this year that he planned to retire in
January, which further outraged many parishioners and choir members who
believed he should have been allowed to retire.
“He got fired because he’s gay,” choir member Bob Holden said.
“He’s extremely talented, he’s perfect on the piano, he has perfect
pitch and because of him, I look forward to going to church every week. I’m
divorced. Do I get thrown out next?”
Dave Martin, a member of the church’s pastoral council, said he was one
of the church officials who received the letter, which he said had an
out-of-state postmark and was written by a person “who had a seasonal
connection to St. Francis,” according to the outlet.
Martin and Rev. Lingaur referred to a statement issued by the Diocese
when further asked about the firing, according to the outlet.
“Somebody got wind of that and did some digging,” choir member Sherry
Koenig told the outlet.
“It’s despicable what has happened and how it has happened. Mr. Fred is
kind, honorable, and caring.”
The longtime music director’s husband, Bill Thompson, has set up
a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of insurance, legal fees, and
bills.
The Traverse City Record-Eagle reported that Szczepanski declined to comment on whether he planned to file a wrongful termination lawsuit.
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