Archdiocese was within rights to fire gay music minister, judge rules
A federal judge ruled in favor of the Archdiocese of Chicago and one of its parishes in a lawsuit filed by a former employee claiming discrimination for being fired after publicly announcing his same-sex “engagement” in 2014. Colin Collette was fired from Holy Family parish in Inverness in July 2014 after he had worked there for 17 years as music director and director of worship. He refused a request by his pastor to resign after his “engagement” with his male partner was made known on social media. The late Cardinal Francis George was archbishop at the time. The archdiocese said when Collette was fired that those working in Church ministries, including worship ministers, are expected to conform their lives publicly with the teachings of the Church, and that “This is a matter of personal integrity on their part.” Citing the ministerial exception, U.S. District Judge Charles P. Kocoras granted the motion for summary judgment sought in the case by the archdiocese and