A longtime pastor in Bay Village has been reassigned to a church in Brunswick just months after a man threatened to kill a person outside his church following a controversial homily.
The Rev. Tim Gareau has been pastor at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church since 2002. He will be joining St. Colette Catholic Church in November, according to a Sept. 4 post on the church’s Facebook page.
According to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, Bishop Edward C. Malesic requested Gareau move churches.
“Some have questioned whether this new assignment is punitive or related to the disruption of Mass that occurred on May 28. Bishop Malesic believes Fr. Gareau is an exemplary priest and an exceptional pastor,” the Diocese said in an emailed statement. “His request and Fr. Gareau’s voluntary decision to take on a new assignment were completely unrelated to the May incident.”
During a service May 28, Gareau referenced the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence being awarded the Community Hero Award by the Los Angeles Dodgers for service to the LGBTQ community.
“Look at the Los Angeles Dodgers. Look what’s happening. Defaming the name of Jesus Christ. Defaming the name of every Christian here on Earth. It just burns a hole in my heart, angers me and embitters me. And it should you,” he said during his homily, which was live streamed online.
Related: Man facing charges of threatening to shoot parishioners outside church after Mass was interrupted
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is a California-based non-profit organization that uses drag performances and religious imagery to satirize the Catholic Church and raise money for the LGBTQ community.
Mass was interrupted when Avery Arden, a transgender individual in the congregation, approached the pulpit and spoke out against Gareau’s statements before exiting the church.
Outside of the church, an Avon Lake man who was also attending the service threatened to kill Arden and a couple consoling them, Bay Village police said.
William Ruda, 63, was charged with two counts of aggravated menacing, according to Rocky River Municipal Court records. His next pretrial date is set for Oct. 3.
The last week of school for St. Raphael’s students was canceled because of parent concern for student safety, according to several parishioners.
