CV NEWS FEED // A Michigan priest is facing backlash over his response to a recent controversy surrounding a gay author who was invited to read a children’s book to students at a diocesan preschool.
Although the book contained no allusions to the author’s sexuality, concerned parents messaged the pastor associated with the preschool about the author, who is in a “civil union” with another man.
Consequently, the priest posted an apology about the invitation on the parish Facebook page that has since been taken down.
In honor of March’s designation as “Reading Month,” several Catholic schools in the Diocese of Saginaw invited local author Dominic Thrasher to read to students his book, The Adventures of CeCe and The Sheriff. The central characters of the book are two dogs, who were inspired by Thrasher’s own dog, as well as his sister’s dog.
Earlier this month, Thrasher read the book to students at St. Joseph the Worker preschool. According to Fr. Tom Held, pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, the book did not contain any inappropriate content.
Fr. Held later posted an apology on the parish Facebook page, saying that he did not know Thrasher had been invited, and that Thrasher “does not represent the values of our Catholic faith read to our Pre-K children as part of March is Reading Month.”
CatholicVote was not able to access the full apology, as the post has since been removed or deleted.
The apology sparked controversy in the parish, as some parishioners said that the phrasing of the apology was unnecessary and hurtful. Some supporters of Thrasher protested outside of the St. Joseph the Worker church on Sunday.
The diocese issued a statement regarding the controversy, saying that when Thrasher went to the preschool, he “was warmly welcomed and treated with respect.”
The diocesan statement explained that several days after Thrasher’s visit, Fr. Held received concerns from school parents and parishioners “about the guest’s civil union, which is contrary to the Catholic Church’s teaching on human sexuality and marriage.”
The statement added, “The pastor appropriately responded to those concerns within the parish community in a way that recognized the guest’s privacy.”
“Our Catholic Faith respects the dignity of every person,” the diocese concluded:
The Church teaches we are all created in the image and likeness of God and called to love one another. With that love comes our obligation to uphold and live the teachings of the Catholic Faith, individually and within our institutions.
According to 9 and 10 News, Thrasher cried after reading the initial Facebook apology by Fr. Held.
“I cried immediately because I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe somebody would say something like that,” he said.
“It’s just a book about dogs. They go on adventures, make new friends and learn valuable life lessons about giving, sharing, facing your fear,” he added.
Speaking about the now-removed Facebook post, Thrasher said, “People who read that post really thought somebody horrible had come into their school to read to their children.”
Thrasher also shared that he was recently diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. According to The Morning Sun, Thrasher stated, “Once I knew I didn’t have much time left here on Earth, I made it my mission to win at life for as long as possible… In doing so, I will continue to share my books, my inspirations, and my love for ALL!”
In a letter to families at St. Joseph the Worker School addressing the situation, Superintendent Cormac Lynn wrote that “Bishop [Robert] Gruss has reached out directly to Mr. Thrasher in the hope of opening direct dialogue.”
Thrasher was scheduled to read the book at his alma mater, Sacred Heart Academy, on March 21. However, the diocese canceled classes at Sacred Heart Academy for March 21 out of caution in light of the recent protests.
According to The Morning Sun, diocesan school officials issued a letter explaining that the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution” in light of “recent events at a local parish, the related protest, reactions on social media, as well as voice mails, emails, and comments directed at Sacred Heart Academy…”
“Sacred Heart Academy has a fundamental obligation to protect the privacy and safety of our students,” the letter noted. “Holding classes on Thursday could potentially expose our students to media coverage and related activities that may be disruptive to the learning environment.”
