Posted on 12/06/2014 5:23:03 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Holy Family Parish of Inverness in Chicago is facing a lawsuit filed by a gay choir director it fired after he became engaged to his partner.
Colin Collette filed suit against the parish on Thursday, arguing that since the state recognizes gay marriages the church should too.
"It saddens me to have this integral part of my life taken away because I have chosen to enter into a marriage, as is my right under Illinois law," said Collette, as reported by NBC Chicago.
Ranjit Hakim, executive director of the Cook County Human Rights Commission, told The Christian Post that they "will conduct an independent investigation of the charges," as well as, "if necessary, hold an administrative hearing."
However due to their role as "a forum in which the case has been filed," Hakim could not comment further on the proceedings.
Formerly the choir director at Holy Family Parish of Invernes, Collette was fired over the summer after he announced his engagement to his longtime male partner.
In response to the firing, Collette met with Cardinal Francis Eugenie George of the Archdiocese of Chicago in September.
In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Collette described the meeting with Cardinal George as a positive one.
"I was incredibly grateful to the cardinal for meeting with me," said Collette, who met with George as the latter was battling cancer. "This is an incredibly difficult time for him. … I was moved beyond words that he would meet with me. We prayed together, he was wonderful. He was very pastoral."
The Roman Catholic Church is opposed to gay marriage, with Pope Francis recently reaffirming the traditional definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman at a recent gathering at the Vatican.
"It is fitting that you have gathered here in this international colloquium to explore the complementarity of man and woman," stated the pontiff last month at Vatican City. "This complementarity is at the root of marriage and family, which is the first school where we learn to appreciate our own and others' gifts, and where we begin to acquire the arts of living together."
The Christian Post reached out to multiple individuals within Holy Family Parish of Invernes. One person declined to comment.
Fr. Terry Keehan, pastor at Holy Family Parish of Invernes, responded to CP stating that he had not yet received the legal complaint.
In a statement given to NBC Chicago earlier this week, the Chicago Archdiocese said that hiring and firing decisions by congregations should be in line with the teachings of the Church.
"Pastors hire and dismiss all parish personnel and govern according to the teachings of the Church and Archdiocesan policies. This is a matter of personal integrity on their part," stated the Archdiocese.
"Those that serve as Ministers of the Church, including worship ministers, are expected to conform their lives publicly with the teachings of the Church."
Here’s a guy who loves the Church, all right....
Marriage is between a man and a woman as prescribed by God. The Sacrament of Marriage is not what this person (in the article) is saying it is.
A gay choir director, now there’s something you don’t see every day. /s
Its getting harder and harder to believe the Catholic Church is really about worshipping God anymore.
So you would propose that the state require the church to preach only state sponsored ideology? There is a huge difference between marriage in a faith and marriage in a state. The two should never be the same. The Catholic Ideology has not changed over time (yes there have been changes to the mass, Vatican II, Women’s clothing ect) but their ideology on what is a sin and what is not has not changed. Abortion has been legal for over 40 years, did the Church change? No it has not. MANY offshoots of the Roman Catholic Church HAVE changed their ideology for social reasons. Besides, if you can just change the definition of Sin, you can get alot more folks in your church because it is easier to be you!!
He had to sign a statement when he became choir director saying he would abide by Catholic teachings. Catholic teaching does not include queer “marriage”. He’s toast.
Meant he/she, whatever he/she goes by.
Months ago it was a homosexual couples wedding cake forced to be baked by Christian business owners again their conscience. Some said “So what it’s just a cake”. Today a church is being sued for firing an open and “Practicing” homosexual. Tomorrow they will gain control of the Pulpit. The war of homosexuality against Christianity is not a passive one. Passiveness of Christian churches toward homosexuality is in their eyes acceptance. There can be no acceptance of this.
Colin Collette filed suit against the parish on Thursday, arguing that since the state recognizes gay marriages the church should too.
Seriously, what did he expect?
He knows nothing about the church it seems.
Since when does a cardinal meet with a parish choir director over a firing dispute? In the current vernacular, it “sends a message” of legitimacy to the queer’s cause.
Wrong move, IMHO.
Nothing here about how long Mr. Collette was the choir director for the parish.... longer than he was involved with his “longtime partner”? Or perhaps he and Rajit Hakim of the (LOL) Human Rights Commission had all this mess planned out very methodically...?
There can be no acceptance of this.
_____________________
There will be NO acceptance of this sin in the Catholic Church....EVER!
I agree, but you have to realize that this happens when we have a “progressive” flake in the Chair of Peter (who, incidentally, selected Cupich, since the latter was just an alternate the USCCB had thrown in at the last minute and was not among the recommended candidates for the slot).
> So you would propose that the state require the church to preach only state sponsored ideology?
Not in a million years. Lately I’m seeing many signs the Catholic Church is receiving gigantic sums to assist illegal immigrant to infiltrate us, everytime I tunn around there’s clergy involved in sex scandals, then bowing down and changing their stances for political purposes, etc...I’m just sayingbthey’re not the Catholic Church you parents grew up in. I had someone tell me something like 30 years ago that he knew of Catholic churches that worshipped Satan in the basements of their churches. I thought he was whacked but he sounded very sincere. Now I’m starting to wonder. This isn’t an attack against your faith in God. I’m just commenting on what I’m seeing and hearing the past several years about some questionable activities I’m seeing that happen to involve the Catholic Church.
If this case is even allowed to move forward the religious freedom is dead in this country.
Now is as good a time as any to watch Paul Scofield in A Man for All Seasons.
In today’s Whiny Gay News.
“Colin Collette filed suit against the parish on Thursday, arguing that since the state recognizes gay marriages the church should too.”
I believe God loves everyone. This man’s remarks, however reminded me immediately of the “King’s Great Matter” during the reign of Henry VIII which sent St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, among others, to their death.
I love my country. But its government once allowed slavery and now allows abortion. Just because the government allows it, does not mean it is morally right.
The Catholic Church expects each of its members to practice chastity according to one’s state in life. The man in question would not be condemned for his attraction to other men, nor excommunicated for it. Acting on that attraction is another matter.
Marriage in the Catholic Church is a Sacrament. Civil marriage is not recognized as legitimate in the eyes of the Church, as is any sexual activity, alone or with another, outside of the Sacrament of marriage.
Per Scripture, divorce is not allowed; homosexual acts are forbidden; masturbation is forbidden, whether one is single or married.
Our society believes in sexual freedom. It pretty much obsesses about it. Scripture is Truth and the Truth does not change. Thus the Catholic Church is falsely labeled as a group of haters who are behind the times. And once again, state is interfering with church.
Just an aside: before More was executed, he stated, “I die the King’s good servant, but God’s first.” May God bless America and turn our great nation back to Him!
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