BEAL CITY, Mich. (AP) — A Catholic priest has resigned as pastor of a church in a small central Michigan community, the result of weeks of controversy following his publicly expressed regret that a gay author had read a book to preschool children. Gay rights activists and others have held regular protests outside St. Joseph the Worker Church in Beal City, 85 miles (136.7 kilometers) north of Lansing, the state capital. The Rev. Thomas Held’s departure as pastor was announced this week by the bishop of the Saginaw Catholic Diocese, The Morning Sun reported. Held “has come to the decision that it would be impossible for him to bring unity to the parish,” said Bishop Robert Gruss, who called it an “unfortunate situation.” There has been tension since Held went on Facebook on March 13 to respond to a parish preschool visit days earlier by local author Dominic Thrasher, who read from his book, “The Adventures of Cece and the Sheriff.” The main characters are puppies. |
A Swiss court sentences a former Gambian interior minister to 20 years for crimes against humanityMosque attack in Nigeria’s north injures at least 24 people, including childrenCEO of Brazil’s oil and gas giant Petrobras steps down following dustup over dividendsShannon Sharpe addresses Shaquille O'Neal feud after NBA legend insisted exPakistan testFIFA sets date for first Women's Club World Cup. Tournament due to launch in January 2026Independent UN experts say radical Saudi Arabia scholar held for years should be tried or releasedHow this DemFrom acting to the squared circle, Emmy winner Hauser is ready to rumble for Major League WrestlingFIFA sets date for first Women's Club World Cup. Tournament due to launch in January 2026