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.”
