Priest resigns from a Michigan church after protests over his criticism of a gay author

A Catholic priest at a Michigan church resigned from his position following protests over his comments criticizing a gay author who read a book to preschool children. 

LGBTQ activists held protests outside St. Joseph the Worker Church in Beal City, north of Lansing, following his remarks. 

Rev. Thomas Held was critical of author Dominic Thrasher who read his book, “The Adventures of Cece and the Sheriff," to preschool-aged children. The book has puppies as the main characters. 

While Held did not mention Thrasher by name, he said that a “guest who does not represent the values of our Catholic faith” read a book to children at the parish, according to The Associated Press. 

He said he also wanted a new vetting system to be put in place. 

Bishop Robert Gruss announced Thrasher's resignation earlier this week. 

"Because of the unfortunate situation at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Beal City, Fr. Thomas Held has come to the decision that it would be impossible for him to bring unity to the parish, and therefore, he has tendered his resignation as the pastor, effective immediately," his statement reads. "Until a new pastor is assigned, the weekend Masses will be covered by a visiting priest."

Held commented in a Facebook post about his resignation, according to Fox17. He wrote, "It unfortunately never ends for me," he wrote. "I'll keep trucking along as I always do. It's sad, just very sad."