Bishop Tobin: Catholic Church Had “No Choice” in Firing Gay Music Director
Thursday, September 22, 2016
In the wake of a Providence Catholic church firing its music director for his gay marriage, the office of Bishop Thomas Tobin in the Diocese of Providence said that he would not comment on personnel matters at the parish level, but instead offered a blanket statement from the Diocese.
Michael Templeton, the Music Director at the Church of St. Mary in Providence, was fired on Monday from the position he held for over five years with church, for what he said was his marriage to his male partner.
The statement attributed to the Diocese of Providence, headed by Tobin, says that a church has “no choice” but to act when an individual “knowingly enters into a relationship…that contradicts the core teachings of the Church.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTStatement from the Diocese
"Any person who holds a ministerial position in the Church, as an employee or volunteer, is expected to live in a way that is fully consistent with the teachings and faith of the church. If an individual deliberately and knowingly enters in a relationship or engages in activity that contradicts the core teachings of the Church, that individual leaves the Church no choice to respond."
Read the piece: Gay Marriage Sparks RI Catholic Church to Fire Music Director
Related Articles
- Gay Marriage Sparks Catholic Church to Fire Music Director
- POPDCAST: Human Rights Campaign Grades Providence LGBT Inclusivity
- Human Rights Campaign Grades Providence On LGBT Inclusivity
- PowerPlayer: Anthony DeRose, Chairman of the Democratic LGBTQ Caucus
- RI Foundation Offering Major Grants to LGBTQ Organizations
- ‘Fearless’ LGBT Photo Exhibit Stolen at Bryant
- NEW: Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI Scores High in LGBT Equality
- Providence Ranked 4th Most LGBT-Friendly City in U.S.
- Cicilline Appears on MSNBC, Talks LGBT Legislation
- Rhode Island Hospital Honored with LGBT Leadership Designation
- NEW: Cicilline to Announce Legislation to End LGBT Discrimination
- Bishop Tobin Issues Statement on Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage Deliberations
- NEW: Bishop Tobin Reacts to the Election of Pope Francis
- NEW: Bishop Tobin Calls for Defeat of Civil Unions
- EXCLUSIVE: Bishop Tobin—Church OK with Some Benefits for Gay Couples
- NEW: Bishop Tobin Issues Statement on Marriage Equality Hearings
- RI State Report: Grants For Vets + Bishop Tobin Switches Parties
- Controversial Comments by Bishop Tobin Over the Years
- NEW: Bishop Tobin Questions If Elorza is an Atheist
- NEW: Bishop Tobin Criticizes Nelson Mandela’s Abortion Stance
- Arthur Schaper: Rev. Tobin Joins the GOP (Hallelujah!)
- RI’s Thomas Tobin: Is He America’s Conservative Bishop?
- NEW: RI Catholic Conference Issues Statement Following House Vote
- Catholic Church Admits Prov. School Aide Arrested for Sexual Assault Worked at Cathedral
- St. George’s Maronite Catholic Church Set to Begin September 16
- Two Massachusetts Colleges Make the “Shame List” for LGBTQ Students
- URI Ranked in Top 50 of LGBTQ-Friendly Universities in the Country
- New England’s First LGBTQ TV Being Launched By Dale LePage