BEAL CITY, Mich. (AP) — A Catholic priest has resigned as pastor of a church in a small central Michigan community, the result of weeks of controversy following his publicly expressed regret that a gay author had read a book to preschool children.
Gay rights activists and others have held regular protests outside St. Joseph the Worker Church in Beal City, 85 miles (136.7 kilometers) north of Lansing, the state capital.
The Rev. Thomas Held’s departure as pastor was announced this week by the bishop of the Saginaw Catholic Diocese, The Morning Sun reported.
Held “has come to the decision that it would be impossible for him to bring unity to the parish,” said Bishop Robert Gruss, who called it an “unfortunate situation.”
There has been tension since Held went on Facebook on March 13 to respond to a parish preschool visit days earlier by local author Dominic Thrasher, who read from his book, “The Adventures of Cece and the Sheriff.” The main characters are puppies.
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck
Rustle these up with Rosemary: Carrot cake with orange buttercream and walnuts
Amanda Holden reveals a huge secret about THAT nude appearance on her Heart FM breakfast show
JENNI MURRAY: The Cass Report is a voice of reason on trans dogma that must not be ignored
Federal officials are investigating a Rockies coach's cockpit visit during a United flight
'Bluey' hits the mark with children and adults alike
My toddler saved my life after I had an epileptic seizure and fell in the bath