Priest Apologizes After Gay Author Gives Reading at Catholic School
Dominic Thrasher
A Michigan priest has publicly apologized for allowing a gay author to read to a preschool class at the parish school, claiming the invited author “does not represent the values of our Catholic faith.”
Fr. Tom Held, pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Church, Beal City, posted his apology on Facebook, which garnered attention and was shared widely beyond the parish community before it was taken down. Most comments on Facebook, however, supported Dominic Thrasher, the author who had read to students and is gay. Thrasher has been writing children’s books since the pandemic, mostly inspired by the family’s dogs, Sheriff and Cece.
Thrasher was upset that the priest felt the need to apologize for the author’s presence at the school. Interviewed by Fox 17, Thrasher said, “It just angers me…The way he made me feel like I’m a predator or like a convict or something coming into the school.”
This is not the first time that Thrasher has been excluded from Catholic education spaces. He revealed that he was once asked to give the commencement speech at his alma mater, a Catholic school, but was disinvited when administrators learned of his sexual orientation.
Commenting on the recent reading incident, Thrasher explained:
“’I came into a classroom to share the joy and love that I have for what I created, and to share that with other people. Why my sexuality has anything to do with that? Anything? It makes me mad.'”
Fox 17 reported that “Thrasher said he hopes Pastor Tom Held will be removed by the St. Joseph the Worker Church.”
WNEM reported that before Held apologized, Thrasher was very pleased with the reading itself and ultimately enjoyed it. Thrasher stated, “I hate that this situation has put a damper on something that has been bringing me so much joy.”
In the apology post, the priest acknowledged that the “conversation was appropriate for our students” and that “a teacher was present in the room at all times.” Held has since not responded to the uproar his apology caused, but the Diocese of Saginaw issued statement in support of the priest, stating:
“Several days after the visit, the pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish was contacted by school parents and parishioners who expressed concerns about the guest’s civil union, which is contrary to the Catholic Church’s teaching on human sexuality and marriage. 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 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.”
A year ago, Thrasher received an ALS diagnosis which has meant, in his words, that “I don’t have a lot of time.” But the author is resolved to seek making positive change in the time that is left. He commented:
“‘I just want to share my gifts and my love to the world. . .I had a friend yesterday say, “You know, Dominic, you were born to make waves.” And I go, “You know, if I’m the person that has to represent so many people out there like myself, I will do — I will fight until the end.”‘”
—Liam Myers (he/him), New Ways Ministry, April 3, 2024
Much gratitude to Dominic Thrasher for sharing his gifts with Cathoiic school students. What a blessing for them. Prayers for Dominic as he deals with the effects of ALS.
Since when has Catholic Christianity been aligned with fascism?? Where is g-D’s Love in all of this????
This makes me very sad and mad. How on one hand can you say you respect the dignity of all humans while saying gay people don’t belong in a Catholic school? How was the Catholic church respecting this man?
What would Jesus have wanted the pastor to do? Where is the pastoral concern for this baptized catholic gay man?
Did Mr. Thrasher reveal to the kids his sexual orientation? If he did not, then what is all the commotion about? If he did not, and the pastor did, then this is the issue, it seems. What a shame that our church cannot find a way to include people, including correcting the people who really need it, e.g. the protesting parents. “I bless their love,” Pope Francis said about people in “gay civil unions.” I wish the pastor had helped his parishioners see that.
It makes me apoplectic with rage. After many years of being a member of various Roman Catholics parishes and active in LGBT ministries, I am ready to say “WHY EVEN BOTHER” . It’s a lost cause when priests are permitted to treat Catholics in this manner.
Thank you for having the courage to speak the truth. It is hard to believe that with so much information available these days that people don’t want to believe the truth. If it weren’t true, would people make up such story?
This just enrages me. Sexual orientation has absolutely nothing to do with sharing the joy of reading with children. There was absolutely nothing to apologize for and it makes me think that this priest reacted in fear and ignorance and a whole lot of negative assumptions. What bugs me is how this kind of reaction just keeps all the inaccuracies and biases going and gives others permission to think along these same lines!!! I pray that this author has a whole lot more time left sharing in spaces that are welcoming of his talents and gifts where he is appreciated and accepted completely!! I also pray that the effects of the ALS are held off for as long as possible.
Dominic, Keep Fighting Until . . . . The End of the Beginning . . . . of Eternal Life !!! The Work Goes On “Endlessly”, Brother !!! PEACE and ALL GOOD . . . . To ALL of God’s Creation !!!