FIRED GAY MUSIC DIRECTOR SUES CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE FOR DISCRIMINATION AND WRONGFUL TERMINATION FROM ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH

"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

SOURCE Ringsmuth Wuori PLLC