An online petition is asking that a gay man who was fired from his job at an Inverness church after he announced that he was marrying his partner be given his job back.
Colin Collette was, until July, director of worship at Holy Family Catholic Church. He was fired from his position, which he'd been in for 17 years, after he and his partner, William Nifong, announced that they were engaged over social media.
Several parishioners at Holy Family vehemently objected to the firing. Collette and Nifong maintained they socialized as a couple with many in the church community, including the pastor who ultimately fired Collette.
The Archdiocese of Chicago made no excuses for the firing, explaining in a statement, "Those that serve as Ministers of the Church, including worship ministers, are expected to conform their lives publicly with the teachings of the Church."
According to the petition, circulated by Holy Family members and directed at church officials, "Colin Collette is a devoted servant of the church and beloved by parishioners. Firing him for his plans to marry his partner after years of living openly is hypocritical and unjust. We ask that you immediately apologize and offer Colin his job back."
The petitioners are trying to obtain 15,000 signatures. The petition is at act.faithfulamerica.org/sign/colincollette.