Archdiocese of Newark Fires Seton Hall University Chaplain for NOH8 Support

Fr. Warren Hall

The priest who has headed campus ministry Seton Hall University has been removed after he publicly supported the NOH8 campaign, on social media.

On Friday, Fr. Warren Hall tweeted:

“I’ve been fired from SHU for posting a pic on FB supporting LGBT “NO H8.” I’m sorry it was met with this response. I’ll miss my work here.”

The NOH8 campaign describes themselves as “a charitable organization whose mission is to promote marriage, gender and human equality through education, advocacy, social media, and visual protest.”

Hall, who is also an adjunct Catholic studies professor at the South Orange, New Jersey, Catholic school, deleted that tweet but followed up by calling for constructive dialogue in response to his firing:

“Grateful for all the support. Dont [sic] be angry!! Turn this into an opportunity for open/reasonable discussion on LGBT issues on a Cath Campus.”

In what is becoming a commonplace response to these firings, students quickly organized in support of Hall.

A petition gained nearly 2,200 signatures over the weekend, saying Hall “contributed greatly to the academic and spiritual lives of the students.” Student organizer Ethan Kraft told the Washington Post:

” ‘This action is neither in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ, nor the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis…Father Hall is a well-loved member of the Seton Hall community, and much of the student body is shocked and saddened by this decision.’ “

Screenshot 2015-05-17 at 1.22.22 PM2011 alum John Colantoni told app.com that Hall’s removal is “a big loss for everybody” because:

“[H]e inspired us to be better in and out of the classroom. He allowed kids to feel comfortable. In his classroom you weren’t afraid to share ideas.”

Responding to media inquiries, Seton Hall’s administration has attempted to distance itself from the firing. Spokesperson Laurie Pine released a statement saying:

“Seton Hall University does not comment on personnel matters…The Archbishop of Newark appoints the Director of Campus Ministry, who serves at his discretion.”

Officials reiterated this message repeatedly on Twitter as well, diverting blame to the Archdiocese of Newark which owns and administers the university. Archdiocesan spokesperson Jim Goodness said removing Hal was a standard transfer, reports NorthJersey.com. Goodness provided no further details, however, as to why or where the priest was being reassigned.

The archbishop referenced above is the embattled John J. Myers, who has a strong anti-LGBT record. Seton Hall University previously denied a student LGBT group twice, and Myers personally criticized a campus course on the politics around marriage equality in 2010.

Hall’s termination comes just as the university is recruiting Derrick Gordon, the first openly gay Division I men’s basketball player. The former chaplain was a well-known support of campus athletics, speaking about his love of sports and their spiritual side in a University video released last year.

Hall’s removal as the head of campus ministry is the latest employment dispute around LGBT issues, but this case is the first known incident where a priest has been targeted.

In calling on students to act constructively for LGBT inclusion rather than be mired in anger, Hall is responding gracefully and revealing what a positive force he was on the campus. If this really is a case of reassignment, the Archdiocese of Newark should reassign him right back to Seton Hall.

For Bondings 2.0‘s full coverage of this story, and other LGBT-related church worker disputes, click the ‘Employment Issues‘ category to the right or here. You can click here to find a full listing of the almost 50 incidents since 2008 where church workers have lost their jobs over LGBT identity, same-sex marriages, or public support for equality.

–Bob Shine, New Ways Ministry

7 replies
  1. Sean Driscoll
    Sean Driscoll says:

    this is clearly the administation of Archbishop Myers who is one his way out. I cannot believe the new guy would do this

    Reply
  2. Friends
    Friends says:

    “NOH8” means what it sounds like: “NO HATE!” When a bishop behaves in a transparently hateful manner toward a Church minister, whose pastoral work is much loved, valued and appreciated by the students he serves, then it’s clearly time for Pope Francis to reassign (or hopefully RETIRE) the bishop — QED and ASAP!

    Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. […] as part of his ministry.   The archdiocese’s disagreements with Hall began in 2015 when they removed him as chaplain at Seton Hall University because of his support of the “NOH8” campaign and re-assigned […]

  2. […] record on LGBT issues. Last week, he suspended Fr. Warren Hall from priestly ministry, having fired him last year from directing Campus Ministry at Seton Hall University because Hall expressed support for the […]

  3. […] a related note, Fr. Warren Hall, who was fired as the chaplain at Seton Hall University for supporitng LGBT anti-bullying efforts earlier this year, has been […]

  4. […] himself was fired as the chaplain at Seton Hall University in New Jersey for posting a photo of himself with the “NOH8″ logo on Facebook. He […]

  5. […] Hall University’s former director of campus ministry, removed from his position recently after publicly supporting the NOH8 campaign, has come out as gay. Father Warren Hall, who is also a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, New […]

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