Father James St. George -- gay Father George -- would like his teaching job back at Chestnut Hill College. But realistically, he doesn't expect that to happen.
"I'm sure I wasn't the only gay professor. I'm sure that there were professors that have had divorces, or use contraception and a whole slew of things that are contrary to the Roman Catholic teachings," St. George said.
The college didn't renew St. George's contract for the upcoming semester because, "His recent public statements regarding his long-term, same-sex partnership are at odds with the beliefs and mission of Chestnut Hill College and the Catholic Church," the school said in a statement Monday.
St. George, 45, says he was fired and is being discriminated against because of his sexuality.
"If you're going to terminate somebody and you're going to use the, you know, 'not in conformance with Roman Catholic teaching' type of an angle, then be honest about it. Say it, tell them the truth and move on," St. George said.
St. George, who recently celebrated his 15th anniversary with his partner, said he kept his private life private.
"I made no public statements about my sexuality until after the firing," St. George said.
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He did however, admit to an interview nearly a year ago in Philadelphia Gay News, but denied holding anything back from the college when he was hired in 2009 to teach Bible studies and other subjects.
"What am I supposed to do?" he asked. "Say, 'Before we go any further, I'm gay?' Who says that?"
St. George is pastor at St. Miriam Church in Blue Bell which is affiliated with the Old Catholic Apostolic Church of America, which vows no discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and performs commitment ceremonies for gays and lesbians.
"I miss my students and if my students wanted me back, I'd love to teach my students again," St. George said.
Father George said both sides should try to work together without legal intervention.
