Students at the Catholic Chestnut Hill College in Pennsylvania have urged support for the gay pastor whose teaching contract was not renewed after he spoke openly about a gay relationship.
Jessica Murray, 23, plans to hold a rally on Saturday in support of the pastor, in direct protest at the actions of the university board, reports Philly.com, a Philadelphia news source.
In an email to its students, the board of Chestnut Hill College claims that Rev St. George was not fired, but that: �A new contract for the upcoming session was not offered to Jim St. George, not because he is gay, but because his recent public statements regarding his long-term, same-sex partnership are at odds with the beliefs and mission of Chestnut Hill College and the Catholic Church.�
The college�s president, Sister Carol Jean Vale said: �It was with great disappointment we learned through St. George�s public statements of his involvement in a gay relationship with another man for the past 15 years.
�It is important to note that this information came to our attention only after St. George chose to make his private life public information on his blog.�
The university subsequently chose not to renew St George�s contract.
Murray, who plans to organise the a petition urging the college to reverse its decision, said told Philly.com: �Nobody cares about his personal life. He�s an amazing teacher. Now, because some stranger is angry, the students are missing out.�
She added that the college had blocked her from its Facebook page when she pressed for information about St. George�s status.
Chestnut Hill College also claims St. George represented himself as Roman Catholic, whereas he was part of a �house of worship� which allows priests to engage in �same-sex partnerships�. St. George claims he was always clear his church, St. Miriam Catholic Apostolic Church, had no ties to Roman Catholicism.
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