Church Asks Music Director to Resign After He Married Same-Sex Partner; Congregation Laments
Members of Minnesota Catholic Church are lamenting over the resignation of their music director of 17 years who was asked to leave his position after marrying his same-sex partner.
Jamie Moore served at St. Victoria Catholic Church for a little less than two decades and was beloved by much of the congregation. Several of the church's choir members recently voiced their disappointment over the matter to KARE11 News.
"I think it's unfortunate," said member Judy Janish. "I think people should be able to marry who they love and who they belong with."
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June Henning, who served alongside Moore for 17 years, also expressed disgust over the decision made by Archbishop John Nienstedt.
"I'm disappointed that somebody's out there that says somebody is not good enough," she said.
Father Bob White of St. Victoria's addressed the congregation this past weekend and confessed that losing Moore felt like a death in the family.
"It's something no one would have wanted," he said. "But in the end, the archbishop could not find a way to reconcile Moore's decision to marry with the teachings of the Church."
Moore received a standing ovation after White's addressed the crowd. He also clarified the reasoning behind the decision.
"It is simply that the Church believes that sacramental marriage is between a man and a woman, and there's certain relationships it doesn't recognize," he said. "It doesn't make a judgment about that person; that they are a bad person."
Moore released a statement earlier this week expressing his love for the members of the church and his thoughts on the decision.
"While there are some who don't welcome everyone into the greater Catholic Church, I know that the vast majority of people at St. Victoria live lives that are truly examples of the way Christ would live; free of judgment, filled with love."
