Catholic Church Terminates Long-Time Music Director After Discovery of Same-Sex Marriage.

According to reports, a music director at a Catholic church in the United States in Michigan was let go after an unidentified source told church authorities about his same-sex marriage.

Traverse City Record-Eagle stated , Fred Szczepanski was let go from his job at St. Francis Church in Traverse City on October 18 after church officials learnt that he had married his long-time partner in Nevada in 2020 in a same-sex ceremony.

Rev. Michael Lingaur approached Szczepanski, who churchgoers referred to as “Mr. Fred,” after church officials received a letter regarding his marriage from an unidentified source.

After 34 years as the church’s music director, he was questioned, acknowledged the marriage, and was told by Lingaur that his skills were no longer required.

Additionally, Szczepanski was informed that he would no longer be permitted to partake in communion during services.

Szczepanski’s marriage is a violation of the ministerial agreement condition of his employment, according to a statement released by the Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan, after he was fired.

After 34 years as the church’s music director, he was questioned, acknowledged the marriage, and was told by Lingaur that his skills were no longer required.

“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.”

Parishioners were incensed by the dismissal, nevertheless, and demonstrated in favour of Szczepanski on several occasions.

On October 20, choir members refused to sing during mass, donned black, and left their places empty.

The long-time music director’s supporters then demonstrated outside the church on October 27 with signs that read, “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.”

Many choir members and parishioners were even more incensed when Szczepanski declared earlier this year that he would be retiring in January, since they felt he should have been permitted to do so.

Bob Holden, a choir member, claimed that he was sacked because he is gay.

I enjoy attending to church every week because of him since he is incredibly talented, plays the piano well, and has great pitch.

I have a divorce. Will I be ejected next? According to the outlet, one of the church officials who received the letter was Dave Martin, a member of the pastoral council.

He claimed that the letter was written by someone “who had a seasonal connection to St. Francis” and that it had an out-of-state postmark.

When questioned further about the dismissal, Martin and Rev. Lingaur cited a Diocese statement, the site reported. Sherry Koenig, a member of the choir, told the outlet, “Someone got wind of that and did some digging.” “What has occurred and how it has occurred are reprehensible.

Mr. Fred is decent, considerate, and nice.

Bill Thompson, the husband of the long-time music director, has created a GoFundMe page to assist with expenses, legal expenditures, and insurance charges.

Szczepanski declined to respond when asked if he intended to sue for wrongful termination, according to the Traverse City Record-Eagle.