We are urgently seeking 500 new Life Defenders (monthly supporters) before the end of October to help save babies from abortion 365 days a year. Your first gift as a Life Defender today will be DOUBLED. Click here to make your monthly commitment.
Former hospital chaplain sues after being fired for pro-life social media posts
According to Florida Politics, Rev. Jay McCaig, pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church in St. Cloud, Florida, is suing Orlando Health after they fired him from his position as chaplain at St. Cloud Hospital, where he served from 2011 through 2021. McCaig’s federal lawsuit claims he was wrongfully terminated as a result of pro-life posts he made to his personal Facebook page, although he “was not told which post or posts on his personal Facebook page violated Orlando Health’s company policy, nor was he informed which company policy he violated.”
McCaig said he had never been disciplined during his tenure at the hospital prior to being fired.
After being fired, McCaig emailed David Strong, CEO of Orlando Health. Chief Human Resources Officer Karen Frenier responded to McCaig’s inquiry, stating: “Orlando Health has a commitment to providing an environment that recognizes, values and respects the diversity of our community, patients and families, physicians, and team members. There were concerns about your ability to provide spiritual and emotional care for Orlando Health’s diverse patient and team member population given your public social media posts.”
Dear Reader,
Every day in America, more than 2,800 preborn babies lose their lives to abortion.
That number should break our hearts and move us to action.
Ending this tragedy requires daily commitment from people like you who refuse to stay silent.
Millions read Live Action News each month — imagine the impact if each of us took a stand for life 365 days a year.
Right now, we’re urgently seeking 500 new Life Defenders (monthly donors) to join us before the end of October. And thanks to a generous $250,000 matching grant, your first monthly gift will be DOUBLED to help save lives and build a culture that protects the preborn.
Will you become one of the 500 today? Click here now to become a Live Action Life Defender and have your first gift doubled.
Together, we can end abortion and create a future where every child is cherished and every mother is supported.
“In addition,” Frenier continued, “there were verbal complaints from team members and the Orlando Health Alert Line received a formal complaint regarding your social media activity.”
McCaig replied to Frenier, writing, “My beliefs regarding abortion are my religious beliefs and my understanding of the Biblical text. Those religious beliefs are why I was terminated.” He further noted that his personal Facebook account did not mention his position at the hospital.
Orlando Health spokesperson Kena Lewis denied that McCaig was fired for his religious beliefs: “Mr. McCaig’s complaint mischaracterizes the facts and the reasons for his termination, which were completely unrelated to his religious beliefs.” Lewis declined to provide a reason for McCaig’s termination.
McCaig is seeking back pay, front pay, attorney’s fees, and other, unspecified damages.
Live Action News is pro-life news and commentary from a pro-life perspective.
Contact editor@liveaction.org for questions, corrections, or if you are seeking permission to reprint any Live Action News content.
Guest Articles: To submit a guest article to Live Action News, email editor@liveaction.org with an attached Word document of 800-1000 words. Please also attach any photos relevant to your submission if applicable. If your submission is accepted for publication, you will be notified within three weeks. Guest articles are not compensated (see our Open License Agreement). Thank you for your interest in Live Action News!
Human Rights·By Bettina di Fiore
