In October of last year, a Michigan Music Director was fired from his Catholic Church after an unnamed source leaked the details of his same-sex marriage. Parishioners are outraged with the decision. Some churchgoers are leading protests while others have renounced their membership. Fred Szczepanski was let go from St. Francis Church in Traverse City on Oct. 18.
He was fired after it was revealed that he married his longtime partner several years ago in Nevada. He was known to his parishioners as “Mr. Fred” After the details came out in an anonymous tip, Rev. Michael Lingaur confronted the music director after church. The priest let Mr. Fred know that his services were no longer needed and he was no longer able to take communion.
Szczepanski had served the church for 34 years. After the firing, Bishop Jeffrey J. Walsh wrote that Szczepanski’s marriage “jeopardizes a ministerial agreement for employment.” He continued to explain: “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 Bishop concluded, “While we are all weak sinners, serious sins against chastity require sacramental reconciliation and a firm purpose of amendment, as stated in our act of contrition.” The decision outraged the congregation. Choir members wore black, left their seats empty, and refused to sing during mass to protest the decision.
Supporters picketed outside the church carrying signs that read “Love Not Hate,” “God Includes, Not Excludes,” and “Fired Not Retired.” One congregant told reporters “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.” Several people were so upset that they renounced their membership.
Liz Yarch resigned over the incident and the fact that “some people were told” by church leaders that Szczepanski retired. She said, “Last I checked, people who have served for over 30 years get a retirement party, Fred was fired for his personal life and I find that cruel.” The confusion was caused by the fact that Szczepanski previously announced that he planned to retire in January.
Bob Holden, a member of the choir, described Szczepanski as “…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?” he says that “He got fired because he’s gay.” Dave Martin, who sits on pastoral council added extra context.
He says the letter which revealed Szczepanski’s secret had an out-of-state postmark. He says the author was someone “who had a seasonal connection to St. Francis.” The church did not respond to comments. Another choir member, Sherry Koenig, said “It’s despicable what has happened and how it has happened. Mr. Fred is kind, honorable, and caring.” Bill Thompson, set up a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of insurance, legal fees, and bills.