Priest-in-training expelled for alleged ‘homosexual activity’ sues

A man who was seven months away from graduation at the Pontifical College Josephinum was expelled for alleged homosexual activity last October, and now he’s suing the school.

Jeremiah Guappone, 27, claims that he was not given a chance to defend himself, and the Roman Catholic seminary is denying him access to the records showing why he was expelled.

He says he hasn’t violated any church rules, but he’s facing a tough battle in appealing his expulsion to The Vatican, which oversees the seminary.

The Josephinum argues that the lawsuit should be dismissed under the First Amendment because the Catholic Church has its own system of resolving such disputes, and the county court should not be involved in religious issues.

But Guappone’s lawyer, Joshua Engel, says the school should have to release Guappone’s records because it receives federal student aid funds, meaning it has to comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which mandates schools must allow students access to their information.

Expect updates on this contentious legal battle in the coming weeks.

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