A popular music director at a Catholic church in Michigan was fired after an unknown source informed church officials of a same-sex marriage, sparking outrage among parishioners and many People protested and some relinquished their membership.
Fred Szczepanski was removed from his duties at St. Francis Church in Traverse City on October 18 after church officials discovered he had entered into a same-sex marriage with his longtime partner in Nevada in 2020. It was reported that. Traverse City Records – Eagle.
Szczepanski is known by church members as “Mr. Szczepanski.” Fred” was questioned by Pastor Michael Ringer after church leaders received a letter from an anonymous individual about his marriage.
When questioned, he admitted the marriage and was told by Mr. Ringaul that after 34 years as the church's music director, his services were no longer needed. Szczepanski was also told that he would no longer be able to receive Holy Communion during the service.
In response to his firing, the Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan, wrote: statement It says Szczepanski's marriage violates the terms of the ministerial agreement regarding his employment.
“A public act of same-sex marriage formally recognizes that the relationship is more than friendship, thereby jeopardizing ministerial agreements regarding employment,” the diocese said.
“Marriage is a permanent, faithful, and exclusive contract between one man and one woman.”
However, the dismissal infuriated parishioners, who staged multiple protests in support of Szczepanski.
Members of the choir wore black, took seats, and refused to sing during the October 20 mass.
And on Oct. 27, supporters of the longtime music director picketed outside the church, chanting “Love is not hate” and “God includes but does not exclude.” He held up a placard that read, “Retire, not fire.”
“With so much controversy going on around the world, church needs to be a place of peace, not chaos after chaos,” churchgoer Toni Stanfield told the show.
Some parishioners and choir members have relinquished their membership at St. Francis Church or abandoned their plans, the newspaper said.
Liz Yarch, a former church choir member, said she resigned because she was fired and that “some people were told” that Szczepanski retired but was not fired.
“Last I checked, people who have been with the company for 30 years or more are having retirement parties,” Yarch told the magazine.
“Fred was fired because of his personal life, and I think that's cruel.”
Mr. Szczepanski announced earlier this year that he planned to retire in January, which further upset many parishioners and choir members who believed that Mr. Szczepanski should have been allowed to retire. It made me furious.
“He was fired because he was gay,” said choir member Bob Holden.
“He's very talented, he plays the piano perfectly, he has perfect pitch. He's the reason I look forward to going to church every week. I'm a divorcee. Next time I'll be dumped. kana?”
Dave Martin, a member of the church's pastoral council, said he was one of the church officials who received the letter, saying it had an out-of-state postmark and that it was “seasonally connected to St. Paul. It was written by a person related to the matter. Francis,” the newspaper reported.
When asked further about the firings, Martin and Ringer referred to a statement released by the diocese, the newspaper said.
“Someone heard about it and looked it up,” choir member Sherry Koenig told the show.
“What happened and how it happened is despicable. Mr. Fred is a kind, honorable and caring man.”
Her husband, Bill Thompson, a longtime music director, has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for insurance, legal fees and bills.
The Traverse City Record-Eagle reported that Szczepanski declined to comment on whether he plans to file a wrongful termination lawsuit.
But for worship, Szczepanski is welcomed with open arms at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse.
The Unitarian Universalist Association said more than 245 people attended the Nov. 3 service to “affirm and support Fred Szczepanski.”
