Catholic campus chaplain removed; homosexual advocacy an issue?

May 20, 2015

The Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey has denied media reports that a Catholic chaplain at Seton Hall University was removed because of his advocacy for homosexual causes.

Father Warren Hall told supporters that he had been dismissed because of his involvement with the “NO H8” campaign, which opposes bullying and favors same-sex marriage. But a spokesman for the Newark archdiocese, which appoints the school’s chaplain, said that the “NO H8” campaign was not the factor that led to the priest’s replacement.

When the archdiocese heard complaints about the priest’s involvement in that campaign, archdiocesan spokesman Jim Goodness said, Father Hall gave assurances that he supported Church teachings on sexuality and marriage. That clarification closed the issue, Goodness said. However, he added, the archdiocese saw an opportunity to underline the chaplain’s “accountability to the university and to the archbishop,” and therefore decided to make a change.

Seton Hall University is administered directly by the Newark archdiocese. The chaplain reports to Archbishop John Myers.

 

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Further information:

• Catholic priest says he was fired from university job for Facebook post supporting gay rights (Washington Post)
• Archdiocese Explains Removal of Seton Hall Campus Minister, Seeks ‘Accountability’ (Cardinal Newman Society)