Church Music
Director Sacked for Being Gay

The music director of a Wisconsin Catholic church has been fired for living "an openly gay life," reports the Wisconsin State Journal.

Charles Philyaw had worked as director of music liturgy for the St. Andrew Catholic Church in Verona since 2004, eventually directing the church choir, leading the liturgy committee, and playing for multiple masses on a weekly basis.

But in June, according to the State Journal, the church's parish priest, the Reverend Dave Timmerman, informed Philyaw he was being let go because he led an openly gay life. Philyaw and his partner, James Mulder-Philyaw, were active participants in the Verona religious community.

Apparently, Philyaw's firing came after five parishioners raised concerns about the gay couple's visibility at church functions and activities. The church's bishop got involved, which eventually led to Philyaw's termination.

"Absolutely, Chuck lost his job because he's openly gay," Jo Ellen Kilkenny, one of the five parishioners who raised concerns about Philyaw, told the State Journal. Kilkenny said she did not intend to get Philyaw fired but felt uncomfortable after receiving Communion from Mulder-Philwaw and contacted the diocese for spiritual direction.

There's no word yet on whether Philyaw is planning a lawsuit against the church. What is clear is that Philyaw and Mulder-Philyaw are now facing a possible foreclosure on their home. St. Andrew Catholic Church has also been turned upside down by the firing, with many people feeling Philyaw was unjustly let go.

Wisconsin protects workers from sexual orientation discrimination, though churches are allowed to hire or fire without regard to discrimination laws if an employee's main duties are ecclesiastical or ministerial. The gray area in this case is whether Philyaw's position fell under those categories. (Neal Broverman, The Advocate)