Congregates of a Michigan Catholic church are outraged that their long-time music director was dismissed after church leaders discovered that he married his same-sex partner four years ago.Fred Szczepanski affectionately known as Mr. Fred to fellow parishioners served as the music director at Traverse Citys St. Francis Catholic Church for 35 years before he was abruptly fired last month. Related Pope Francis Vatican chat with LGBTQ+ Catholics shows his acceptance, group says Pope Franciss record is a bit mixed when it comes to LGBTQ+ acceptance. Szczepanski told the Traverse City Record-Eagle that parish administrator Rev. Michael Lingaur informed him on October 18 that church leadership had received a letter from an unnamed person notifying them that Szczepanski had married his long-time partner in Nevada in 2020. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Szczepanski says he confirmed that he and his husband Bill Thompson were married. Lingaur not only fired Szczepanski, who had already announced his upcoming retirement, but reportedly told him he could no longer take communion during mass at St. Francis.Pastoral council member Dave Martin told the Traverse City Record-Eagle that he received the letter about Szczepanskis marriage. He didnt name the sender, but told the Traverse City Record-Eagle that the sender had a seasonal connection to the church and that the letter had an out-of-state postmark.In a statement, the Diocese of Gaylord said that it takes employee privacy very seriously and declined to disclose details about individual personnel matters.Renee Shimmel, a spokesperson for the diocese, told local outlet The Ticker that the bishop and diocesan HR director provide guidance and assistance in such matters, but ultimately leave decisions up to individual parishes.Friends say Szczepanski told them that Bishop Jeffrey Walsh refused to get involved, even after one of St. Franciss deacons complained about Szczepanskis dismissal.St. Francis parishioners have staged protests in recent weeks, picketing outside the church during October 27 services with signs reading Love Not Hate, God Includes, Not Excludes, and Fired Not Retired, the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported. Members of the choir also staged their own silent protest during a recent mass, wearing black and refusing to sing. You can tell by the reaction of the choir, were not taking it lying down, choir member and Cantor Robert DeGabriele told the paper.He got fired because hes gay, fellow choir member Bob Holden said. Hes extremely talented, hes perfect on the piano, he has perfect pitch and because of him, I look forward to going to church every week. Im divorced. Do I get thrown out next?Others pointed out the dioceses hypocrisy in firing Szczepanski, while the churchs previous leader, Rev. Don Geyman, was merely transferred to another parish after being credibly accused of sexual misconduct. Its despicable what has happened and how it has happened, choir member Sherry Koenig said. Mr. Fred is kind, honorable and caring.Liz Yarch told The Ticker that it was well known that Szczepanski is gay, and that she believes Lingaur, who was only installed as Geymans replacement in July, is entirely responsible for his dismissal.Fred was fired for his personal life and I find that cruel, Yarch told the Traverse City Record-Eagle.While Szczepanski has not commented on whether he plans to take legal action, according to the paper, a GoFundMe campaign launched to raise money to cover his insurance costs and legal fees has raised nearly $52,000.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.