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.
WNBA moving date of its preseason game in Canada to avoid potential conflict with NHL playoffs
Gatwick Airport aims to win more friends in China
China urges US to put ties back on track
House Speaker Mike Johnson risks job to deliver aid to Ukraine
Ecuador calls OAS resolution on Mexican embassy raid "fair"
Chile to recall ambassador from Venezuela for consultations
Emission capping in focus as scientists predict hotter 2024
Amanda Holden reveals a huge secret about THAT nude appearance on her Heart FM breakfast show
Mexico denounces Ecuador to ICJ for embassy raid
Knicks and 76ers got past injuries that could've ruined them. Now they meet in playoffs
(W.E. Talk) Salikyu Sangtam: How to view global politics from the Chinese Tianxia perspective?