RIDGWAY, Pa. (WJAC) — People protested in front of an Elk County Catholic parish on Sunday, claiming the church forced out the Elk County District Attorney after finding out he's gay.
Douglas Braff reached out to church officials and spoke to the protesters in Ridgway.
Exactly one week ago, is when protesters say St. Leo Magnus Catholic Church told Elk County District Attorney Beau Grove to to step down from his church roles.
"A matter of fact, he was supposed to lector today's 10 o'clock mass," said Grove's aunt, Colette Herzing.
Sunday saw protesters supporting Grove waving pride flags and signs in front of St. Leo's, all while two Ridgway Police cars watched on and the church held mass.
"We're here to show our love for one of our community members who has been singled out for the way he chooses to show his love," the protest's organizer, Jessica Blauser, told 6 News. "And we don't think that that's a great display of Christianity or even just for mankind. You know, be a good neighbor."
Grove confirmed to us he is "no longer at St. Leo's," where he's worshipped since early childhood.
"Besides loving his family, his next greatest love was his religion," Herzing emphasized.
According to her, Grove was the president of the church council and a teacher for the CCD program.
"He loved the church and was just heartbreaking for our whole family when we heard this, because he never flaunted anything," Herzing said. "He just did what he did from his heart."
Grove assumed the DA's role last October after his predecessor retired. He recently announced he will run for a full term in the Republican primary in May.
"He's been a part of this parish for a long time," Blauser mentioned, "and didn't really hide what he was all about. So, once it came out that he was in fact married, it was a little bit of a shock."
At this time, the Blauser and Herzing tell us they're not looking for a particular outcome — just awareness and acceptance.
"We're a small community, so the people affected — or the people singled out — affect all of us," Blauser said. "We went to school with them. We take fitness classes with them. Our kids are taught by them. So, why don't we raise some awareness?"
St. Leo's has not acknowledged our repeated requests for comment.
An administrator at the Diocese of Erie told us it will make no public statements at this time, adding that the situation will be addressed at the parish level.
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