Seton Hall Minister Allegedly Fired for Supporting Same-Sex Marriage

Seton Hall University’s former director of campus ministry, Warren Hall, has claimed that he was fired for making a post on Facebook in support of same-sex marriage.

In a Friday message, Hall – a longtime proponent of LGBTQ rights – claimed that the university fired him for his public support of the NOH8 Campaign, a national effort to promote marriage, gender and human equality.

“I’m sorry it was met with this response… I’ll miss my work here,” wrote Hall.

Hall posted a second Tweet later that day:

“Grateful for all the support. Don’t be angry!! Turn this into an opportunity for open/reasonable discussion on LGBT issues on a Cath Campus.”

In the wake of Hall’s announcement, students at the university set up an online campaign in support of his reinstatement.

“This action is not in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ, nor is it line with the words of Pope Francis, current leader of the Roman Catholic Church,” the petition charges.

As of Monday morning, the petition has garnered 3,776 supporters.

According to a Huffington Post report, the Archdiocese of Newark, which appoints Seton Hall’s director of campus ministry, denied that Hall was fired.

“His tenure is ending at the university as director of campus ministry and he is available for another assignment... I think people are misconstruing an awful lot,” Archdiocese spokesman Jim Goodness told The Huffington Post. “The church has long taught that every person is to be treated with dignity and respect.“

FIRST OPENLY GAY BASKETBALL PLAYER

Two days after Hall’s announcement, the university announced that Plainfield native and former UMass basketball guard Derrick Gordon – the first openly gay player in Division I history – will be transferring to Seton Hall.

Gordon announced that he would be transferring on Sunday via a Twitter post.

“It’s been a long recruiting process...But happy to say I will be going to Seton Hall University!!!...Can’t wait to play for Coach Willard,” Gordon wrote.

He will be immediately eligible to join the team, according to a report.

The campus radio station, WSOU 89.5 FM, reported that on Sunday, Gordon visited with the coaches of his new team as well as Seton Hall President Gabriel Esteban.

Gordon announced that he was gay in a 2014 interview with ESPN.