Michigan’s Holy Cross Services Fires Chief Executive Over LGBTQ+ Support

Employees at Holy Cross Services rally in support of Ryan Kunzelman, right, after his firing

The top administrator for a leading Michigan Catholic social services agency has been fired after fighting back against the board’s crackdown on LGBTQ+ outreach.

The board of Holy Cross Services, a large social service network operating in several cities in the state, issued a letter to staff via their attorney, Kathleen Klaus, which stated that Holy Cross would serve “gay and transgender people on the same basis as it would every other person.” However, the letter continued, Holy Cross would not be “promoting the associated ideology that normalizes conduct that is contrary to Church teaching.” Such promotion would include participating in Pride events, which the hospital has done for the past two years.

But Ryan Kunzelman, who until recently was Holy Cross Services’ CEO, publicly challenged the board’s hardened stance. The Lansing State Journal reported that Kunzelman described the board’s letter, which claims the organization has not altered any policies, as highly “damaging.”

A ministry of particular concern, said the CEO, is Holy Cross’ licensing of foster care homes, including among LGBTQ+ participants and clients. Kunzelman explained that board’s statement could jeopardize the organization’s funding and harm its ability to undertake its mission. Holy Cross does not have the same religious liberty allowances as other faith organizations, so it would not be allowed to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people and still receive public funding, according to Kunzelman. He also worries that the reputational harm incurred by the board might discourage LGBTQ+ people to seek the organization’s services.

After Kunzelman joined protesters outside of Holy Cross’ New Hope Community Center in Lansing, Michigan, recently, he was fired the same afternoon. Kunzelman told the Lansing State Journal:

“‘You’ll hear my voice, my passion. I care about the people we serve. I myself was a child, abused and neglected, and I myself have experienced homelessness. These kids I engage with are near and dear to my heart. This board is making decisions that are damaging to helping them succeed in life.'”

Following his termination, the Kunzelman indicated his absolute lack of regret, and reaffirmed his position that led to the firing:

“‘All of the decisions I’ve made have been in the best interest of the people I serve and so I’m completely at peace with this. There’s nothing that I can say that I regret at all. I’ll continue to stand up for those who have no voice, I will continue to work with the community to make it a better community.'”

The extent to which Holy Cross Services is religious, or distinctly Catholic, is a matter of dispute. In Kunzelman’s view, only the bylaws feature two lines alluding to Catholic heritage and values, whereas in all of the organization’s “other policies, there’s nothing that states that we are a Catholic or Christian or religious organization.”

The board’s October letter seems directed at that ambiguity, with Klaus, Holy Cross’ attorney, insisting it is and has always been Catholic, acknowledging that there had been confusion about the matter among the organization’s own staff.

Frank Ravitch, a law professor at Michigan State University, acknowledged that the board’s position might be legal if Holy Cross Services is properly registered as a religious organization. Nonetheless, the organization’s acting as a “public accommodation” prohibits it from discriminating against protected groups.

Regardless, Lisa Chapman, director of the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness, says that the board’s approach is not helpful, and agreed with Kunzelman it might discourage vulnerable populations in particular need of Holy Cross’ programs to avoid the organization.

Even if Holy Cross treats all their clients in the same way, the board’s public statement and the ensuing controversy sends the wrong message. Chapman concluded:

“‘On the one hand, Holy Cross is going to continue to serve folks who are gay but on the other hand they don’t promote the lifestyle and that seems contradictory. It’s opposite of the policy we try to promote in Michigan, which is we meet people where they’re at.'”

—Jeromiah Taylor (he/him), November 21, 2024