Fred Szczepanski, affectionately known as "Mr. Fred," was dismissed from his position as the music director at St. Francis Church in Traverse City, Michigan.
This decision came after church officials were informed of his same-sex marriage to his longtime partner, which took place in Nevada in 2020
The Diocese of Gaylord justified the termination by stating that Szczepanski's marriage violated the ministerial agreement condition of his employment, emphasizing that "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 firing has sparked outrage among parishioners, leading to protests and some members renouncing their church membership
Choir members showed their support by wearing black and refusing to sing during mass, while others picketed outside the church with signs reading, "Love Not Hate" and "God Includes, Not Excludes."
A former choir member, Liz Yarch, expressed her discontent, saying, "Fred was fired for his personal life and I find that cruel."
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