Posted: Nov. 7, 2019
John Thomas McCecil was forced out of his job as minister of music at Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. His only offense? Marrying the man he loves.
A month after John's wedding, Fr. Tom Shuler told him he could either resign or be fired. The parish didn't even give John severance after 10 years -- just a crystal cross. This is truly appalling: The cross should be a symbol of Jesus's love, not a reminder of the church's unjust discrimination.
John tells us that he will always treasure his memories providing music for Our Lady's Christmas Eve services, weddings and funerals, and children's programs. The parishioners are delightful people who accepted him for who he is, he says -- until an anonymous complaint after his wedding announcement, an announcement millions of straight couples get to make without fear.
"My relationship with the Church has been damaged, but my faith is still strong," says John. "Even after all this, I would be willing to return if that's where I felt God was calling me. But first, I believe God is leading me to work for change."
Christians must make sure that no more LGBTQ persons are fired for who they love. Faithful America is working directly with John -- and in coalition with our friends at Faith in Public Life -- to deliver this petition to the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Can we add your name today?
Sign the petition:
Love thy neighbor.