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. 

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.”

Hall was the Director of Campus Ministry, and apparently beloved by students past and present.

“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.

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:

Student Ethan Kraft posted this tweet:

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:

 

Image: Screenshot via Seton Hall University/YouTube