One of the most beloved staff members on the Seton Hall University campus was just fired for supporting LGBT equality.

All he did was like a photo from “No H8,” an anti-discrimination organization. For this, the Archdiocese of Newark has asked Father Warren Hall to leave. What he did was entirely in keeping with the values of our university's diverse student body. We don’t want Father Hall removed. We want him back where he belongs, in the halls of SHU.

The students of Seton Hall University want Archbishop John J. Myers to reject hate and reinstate Father Warren Hall.

My name is Ethan Kraft. I’m a junior Broadcasting and Sociology student. Like many others, I chose Seton Hall because I wanted a first-rate education, and an atmosphere that would allow me to practice my faith while feeling free to be myself. I made the right decision. SHU is an open, diverse, welcoming school whose student body reflects the country we live in.  

Over the years, I’ve watched SHU become even more welcoming. In 2010, we started offering a “Politics of Gay Marriage” seminar, and we have recently signed basketball player Derrick Gordon, the first openly gay Division 1 player ever. Oddly enough, the Archdiocese hasn’t expressed its objection to recruiting one of the country’s best college basketball players. It seems both hypocritical and wrongheaded for the university to  welcome a gay student because he can provide a title, but reject a staff member who supports that student’s rights to equality.

Father Hall epitomizes what it means to be a Pirate - encouraging, loving, strong-willed, and accepting, he inspires us to do better in and out for the classroom, and welcomes all with open arms, no matter what our background. We need more staff like him in the Catholic community, not less.

Please join me in telling Archbishop John J. Myers to reject hate, listen to the students of SHU, and reinstate Father Hall. Please sign my petition here.