Fired gay choir director meets with Cardinal Francis George

Colin Collette, who was recently fired from Holy Family Catholic Community in Inverness after getting engaged to his male partner, met with Cardinal Francis George of the Chicago Archdiocese Tuesday.

Collette had requested the meeting, which he said was more a “pastoral discussion.”

“It was a very pastoral meeting,” Collette said. “...It was really a chance for him to hear my story, what I've done in the archdiocese ... more than just my role at Holy Family but my whole life in the church.”

“He was very gracious and incredibly pastoral in this moment,” Collette added.

Collette, who was the music director at the Inverness church, was fired after he announced his engagement to his male partner online.

Many have expressed their support for Collette since then.

Collette said because the conversation was pastoral in nature, there are some elements that are confidential. He said the cardinal suggested the two should meet again soon.

“I just hope that at our next meeting, that the dialogue continues,” Collette said, adding that ultimately, his hope is to return to the Inverness church.