Fred Szczepanski is suing the Diocese of Gaylord over what has been described as “job discrimination”. Szczepanski is gay; homosexuality is labeled as “intrinsically disordered” by the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In addition, according the Catechism: “Homosexual acts are morally wrong because they violate God’s purpose for human sexual activity”. These individuals are “called to chastity”.
Szczepanski was the music director at St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City for 34 years. Although he was involved in a homosexual relationship for years, he “married” Bill Thompson in 2020. Gaylord Diocesan Watch has reported on this in the past. Szczepanski claims that all of the previous priests (four priests) at the parish knew of his homosexuality but did not terminate his employment. However, when Fr. Lingaur was assigned to the parish, Szczepanski was fired. Furthermore, Szczepanski was told he could not participate in the musical programs at St. Francis or receive Holy Communion unless he repents of his sinful state of life. The Diocese of Gaylord has a specific policy for employment that requires its employees to adhere to Church teaching.
Szczepanski now has gone very public about this with a very biased Detroit area TV interview. He also has a GoFundMe page (Stand with Fred) that lists over $50,000 of donations to his cause. Some of the donors are longtime parishioners of St. Francis.
Szczepanski may have an impossible task in the courts. Why? Because the Catholic Church (and a variety of other institutions) discriminate on a regular basis and this is totally legal. Just a few examples: In the Church, only men can be ordained priests (discrimination against women). Only women can become nuns (discrimination against men). Only baptized Catholics can receive Holy Communion and other sacraments (discrimination against non-Catholics). Priests, nuns, and religious brothers cannot marry except for a very few exceptions (discrimination against married couples). In Protestant denominations, similar restrictions often apply. This has been fully recognized as legal by state and federal law.
But it doesn’t stop there. God discriminates. He only allows women to become pregnant and breastfeed. He only allows men to do really dumb things at times (just kidding).
And in the secular world, children cannot drive, drink alcohol, join military service, or vote until a certain age (discrimination by age). So in a nutshell, discrimination occurs all the time. The Church is no exception.
Szczepanski is demanding the Church accept what it cannot and will not, ie, his lifestyle. No one is preventing him from living the lifestyle he chooses, but this religious organization, the Catholic Church, has standards and boundaries for its members that it lives and dies by, just like a lot of organizations.
But there is a very important difference here. When the Church teaches what is right and wrong and lists certain activities and lifestyle choices as “intrinsically disordered” and “morally wrong”, it is because our salvation is at stake. Our risk of eternal damnation is the issue. The assertion Szczepanski made during his TV interview that four prior priests knew of his immorality and did nothing about it does not make it OK; those priests will need to answer for that if indeed it is true. He has chosen with his interview and lawsuit to take his bad moral decisions public; this amplifies his sinful lifestyle and further endangers his soul.
Bishop Walsh and Father Lingaur need our encouragement and support as they will certainly receive another wave of attacks from the media about their very appropriate decision. We encourage our readers to contact these clergy and to pray that they will have strength to persevere.
Bishop Jeffrey Walsh
Diocese of Gaylord
611 W. North Street, Gaylord, MI 49735
(989) 732-5147
communications@dioceseofgaylord.org
Fr. Michael Lingaur
1025 S. Union Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 947-4620