Outcry at Providence Church Over Firing of Gay Music Director

Providence Journal ^ | 9/25/16 | Jacqueline Tempera

[marshmallow]

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Rev. Francesco Francese kept his Sunday homily at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church on Broadway short as he encouraged worshipers to “be gentle” with people who stray from the path of God.

“It’s our Christian duty to, if we can, to make up for mistakes, and try to help those who are also victims in one way or another,” said Father Francese. “God wants us to give others their due, to never be unjust to them.”

As he closed his Bible the sanctuary fell silent. The rousing blend of voices, piano harmonies, and bongo drums associated with director of music ministry Michael Templeton’s choir, was noticeably absent.

On Monday, Templeton said Father Francese, who became pastor of the parish in July, sent him a text message asking to meet with him. When Templeton arrived at the church he said he was greeted by Father Francese, and a representative from the Diocese of Providence. Templeton, who has been dating the same man for about five years, got married in 2015.

“They said I had entered into a marriage that wasn’t consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church and I needed to go,” Templeton said.

Also on Sunday, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul for a special blessing of “Milestone Marriages.” Here he spoke about the importance of commitment to one's faith, and one's partner before about 1,300 people.

Asked if any gay couples were invited to the blessing, Tobin joked, “Well this is for people celebrating 25 years or more so we don’t have anybody like that. We’ll worry about that in 20 years. Not today.”

When asked about Templeton specifically, he said, “I can’t talk about that today” and walked away.

Many St. Mary's parishioners, who arrived.....

[trebb]

While I don't think homosexuals should have leadership roles in a church, I also think it's stupid to chase them away from all forms of service - no telling who they might reach with the Word that others would not.

We're all sinners and it is our sins that allow us to relate to and reach others.

[buffaloguy]

The one I referenced is at Rice University. They rebuilt the small auditorium with stone to duplicate cathedral sound. It is one of the most stunning instruments I have ever heard.

We had a 9 year old girl with and she played it. Quite a thrill for her.

[fwdude]

Uhh ... Bongo drums?

I've noticed that homosexuals are pretty unconventional all around, not surprisingly. One of their church buildings in Dallas is grotesque:

[MDLION]

Is it true that the final straw was when the music director told that the pastor he was working on putting on a Fabulous rendition of Godspell at the parish?