Gay Choir Leader's Firing Turns Into a Test of Faith

The Chicago Tribune ^ | July 9, 2003 | Colleen Mastony

[hinterlander]

ROCKFORD -- The new choir director was one of the best things that ever happened to Holy Family Catholic Church. Everyone said so.

He brought together businessmen and blue-collar workers, students and senior citizens to make music that lifted the whole parish--until last month, when church officials learned he is gay.

[foreverfree]

bump

[dfwgator]

A gay church choir director, I am shocked, just shocked!

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[squidly]

I'm tellin' ya, it's always the freakin' choir director or the organist.

[7 x 77]

Good. We need a lot more of this.

[ninenot]

There's an earlier link to a Rockford newspaper account of this.

The Rockford story was clear: the guy was in a "relationship" and THEN announced that he and (Bruce? Lance?) intended to ADOPT A CHILD, for crying out loud.

That was it. He got fired.

[7 x 77]

What about the case of a gay couple with children, who don't have a position in the Church but attend functions where it's obvious to all that they're flaunting the teaching against homosexuality.

Now, what about the cases of all the straights that are flaunting other teachings: pre-marital sex, co-habitation, supporting abortion in one manner or another, unwelcoming about bringing children into their family, birth control, etc.

[7 x 77]

Suppose the choir director were shacking up with his girl friend?

[ninenot]

You have asked good questions--the answer to which will be somewhat bifurcated.

The Church has a 'morals clause' in any written agreement for employment, and an implied 'morals clause' in the oral agreements. YOU, employee, don't scandalize folks and WE, church, will keep you on.

HOWSOMEVER, enforcement is haphazard, as you might expect. In the case at hand, I think the 'adoption' thing was a bridge too far and got the attention of somebody.

Obviously, there was an implicit 'don't ask/don't tell' see-no hear-no going on while the fellow had his 'relationship.'

Confused?

[N. Theknow]

A choir director?

Must have found him playing with someone else's organ.

[Loyalist]

PING.

Perhaps these articles should have a 'LAVENDER ALERT'?

[7 x 77]

YOU, employee, don't scandalize folks and WE, church, will keep you on.

Since we're all sinners, and since Catholics place a high value on the group staying entact as much as possible, there needs to be some flexibility. On the other hand, 45 years ago this issue wouldn't be popping up everywhere.

[ninenot]

Musicians have been more suspect of homosexual tendencies (as a group) than many others.

You are correct: there's a greater sensitivity to the homosexual problem in the RC Church lately.

[PeterPrinciple]

But the answer is to hold EVERYONE to higher standards rather than lower the standards for all.

My Mom was a big believer in spring house cleaning.

[gcruse]

But the answer is to hold EVERYONE to higher standards

And what principle would that be, Peter?  ;)

[Pahuanui]

Musicians have been more suspect of homosexual tendencies (as a group) than many others.

Hey now, as a musician I would remind you that interior decorators, theater actors, hairstylists and drapers should always come to mind before us.

Hell, thrown in fashion designers and bodybuilders, and we're probably not even in the top 10!

[my4kidsdad]

If any Church employee or volunteer were involved in a Church ministry and were teaching or flaunting something/anything against the teachings of the Catholic Church, that employee or volunteer would be (and rightfully so) fired or removed from ministry.

As for your hypothetical gay couple with children flaunting the teachings against homosexuality, a priest or deacon SHOULD discuss the matter with them.

[ninenot]

I have been a church musician for over 40 years--and my uncle was one for about the same time period (but going back to the 1940's)

I agree with your assessment of rank-order--but the fact remains that we are suspects.

[my4kidsdad]

As a side note, the Catholic Church does recognize the fact that some couples do co-habitate then get married in the Church. My wife and I are pre-Cana facilitators and I have read the "pamphlet" citing the statistics that there is a slightly higher incidence of divorce in marriages after co-habitation. But the Church will not refuse to marry the couple.