"MR. FRED," REPRESENTED BY BLAKE
RINGSMUTH OF RINGSMUTH WUORI PLLC, SERVED CATHOLIC CHURCH
FOR OVER 35 YEARS AND WAS FIRED 3 MONTHS BEFORE RETIREMENT AFTER IT
WAS REVEALED HE MARRIED LONGTIME PARTNER
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 18,
2025 /PRNewswire/ --—Fred Szczepanski has a
"hole in his heart" after being recently fired from St. Francis of
Assisi Church in Traverse City, Michigan after it was revealed
that he had married longtime partner, Bill
Thompson, in 2020. The lawsuit was filed in Grand Traverse
County Circuit Court for firing him in violation of the Elliott-
Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1976 on the basis of sex, sexual
orientation, and marital status. The Elliott- Larsen Civil Rights
Act was amended in 2022 to include the LGBTQ+ Community.
The church became aware that "Mr. Fred" had married Mr. Thompson
after somebody sent an anonymous letter disclosing it. The
relationship between the two men had been well known by church
officials, as well as its parishioners, as they have been together
for decades. In fact, Szczepanski has been openly gay throughout
his employment at the church. The two men married during the Covid
Pandemic without fanfare or celebration, wanting only to protect
their legal rights. "I see this as a national issue where the
privacy and rights of gay men and women must be protected. I am
heartbroken over what happened after my years of dedication to the
church and its congregation," Szczepanski stated.
St. Francis of Assisi Church,
located in Traverse City, is part
of the Gaylord, Michigan
Archdiocese. In his duties as Musical Director, which included
organizing Christmas and Easter celebrations, Mr. Szczepanski had
no educational or ministerial duties and, according to his contract
with the church, could only be fired for just cause. Szczepanski,
who had planned to retire in 2025, was fired in October of this
year and was not even allowed to clean out his desk. Mr.
Szczepanski was offered no severance when he was fired, and told he
could no longer take communion.
Parishioners and church choir members describe Szczepanski as a
kind, generous, and lovable man whose absence has left many church
members heartbroken. The 35–40-member church choir has reportedly
quit. Many parishioners have picketed the church.
Attorney Blake Ringsmuth, who is
representing Szczepanski in the lawsuit, stated, "Any stated
religious or ministerial reason for firing Szczepanski is untrue
and hypocritical, as others have been treated differently by the
Catholic Church for violating similar 'important' Catholic
ideologies – those who have engaged in same- sex relationships,
re-married after divorcing without first obtaining an annulment, or
have used in vitro fertilization to conceive. It has knowingly
allowed the employment of individuals who have committed criminal
sexual acts against children and others."
Copies of the lawsuit are available upon request.
MEDIA CONTACTS: MORT MEISNER ASSOCIATES,
248-545-2222
MORT MEISNER,
248-613-0948 OR GRACE CARLISLE, 248-565-5342
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content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fired-gay-music-director-sues-catholic-archdiocese-for-discrimination-and-wrongful-termination-from-st-francis-of-assisi-church-302404992.html
SOURCE Ringsmuth Wuori PLLC
