Catholic University Fires Its Top Priest For His Pro-LGBT Facebook Post
Seton Hall and the Archdiocese of Newark have chosen to part ways with the University’s Director of Campus Ministry because of a pro-LGBT NOH8 photo he posted to his Facebook page.
UMass recent graduate Derrick Gordon, the first openly gay Division I men’s basketball player, will be visiting Seton Hall University Sunday, as the Catholic University in Gordon’s home state of New Jersey tries to recruit him as a grad student.Â
GLAAD Awards with my brothers @MichaelSamNFL @jasoncollins98 #Betrue #glaadawards #LAFAMILIA #NYC pic.twitter.com/GkPc4REaSE
— Derrick Gordon (@flash2gordon) May 10, 2015
That makes the timing of the University’s firing yesterday of its top priest, Rev.Warren Hall, a conspicuous problem that Gordon will likely confront as he tours the campus.
“I’ve been fired from SHU for posting a pic on FB supporting LGBT ‘NO H8,'” Father Hall wrote in a tweet Friday he has since deleted, the Setonian reports. “I’m sorry it was met with this response. I’ll miss my work here.”
#TheSilencing of dissent continues as @NwkArchdiocese fires Father @Warrmeister. #LGBT https://t.co/oxr3REU0aI pic.twitter.com/OxpDyoB5SY
— Scott Wooledge (@Clarknt67) May 16, 2015
Hall was the Director of Campus Ministry, and apparently beloved by students past and present.
Super disappointed that the Archdiocese of Newark fired a priest from Seton Hall over his acceptance of LGBT.
— morg ivich (@morgancarol_) May 16, 2015
Seton hall really fired someone for posting a LGBT NO H8 post on facebook? What a joke man
— Jared Gaspar (@JaredGaspar) May 15, 2015
Sad to see that @Warrmeister will no longer be at SHU for posting an article against hate. Very upset that this was SHU’s response
— Karly Trovarelli (@KarlyTrovarelli) May 15, 2015
“He was a pillar of the Seton Hall community,” John Colantoni, a Class of 2011 graduate told the Asbury Park Press. “It’s definitely a sad day for Seton Hall. It’s a big loss for everybody.”
University officials were quick to ensure students placed blame elsewhere.
.@SetonHall And you don’t even feel bad about the shameful situation that is occuring? This looks bad for #SHU, not the Archdiocese.
— Danielle Andreani (@dcandreani) May 15, 2015
Last year, the University published this video made by Father Hall, in which he explains his philosophy of connecting with students over his two loves: spirituality and sports:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jYRGICOPr0
Student Ethan Kraft posted this tweet:
Outraged at @SetonHall for dismissing @Warrmeister. Certainly not what Christ would have wanted, and not in line with words of @Pontifex.
— Ethan CHELSEA Kraft (@ethan_kraft) May 15, 2015
With other students, Kraft also has started a petition at Change.org asking the Archdiocese of Newark to reinstate Father Hall.
It’s already received nearly 750 signatures.
For his part, Rev. Hall is taking the high road:
Grateful for all the support. Dont be angry!! Turn this into an opportunity for open/reasonable discussion on LGBT issues on a Cath Campus.
— Warren Hall (@Warrmeister) May 15, 2015
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Image: Screenshot via Seton Hall University/YouTube
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