Ralph Martin appears on a December 2020 episode of "EWTN Live." / Credit: EWTN
National Catholic Register, Jul 25, 2025 / 13:53 pm (CNA).
Prominent Catholic theologian Ralph Martin says Detroit's new archbishop told him he fired him from the archdiocese's seminary faculty over undefined "concerns about my theological perspectives."
Martin, 82, who had taught at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit since 2002, said Archbishop Edward Weisenburger told him Wednesday he "was terminating my position at the seminary effective immediately."
"When I asked him for an explanation, he said he didn't think it would be helpful to give any specifics but mentioned something about having concerns about my theological perspectives," Martin said in a written statement Thursday afternoon.
"This news came as a shock," Martin said. "I have contributed much to the seminary over more than 23 years. I even helped introduce and lead, up until yesterday, our flagship pontifical degree program, the Licentiate of Sacred Theology Degree in the New Evangelization."
Martin did not offer comment about the archbishop, who was installed March 18.
"I want what I say about this situation to be truthful, but I also do not want to unnecessarily contribute to current polarization in the Church," Martin said.
A spokesman for the archbishop declined comment on Thursday.
Martin and another theologian, Eduardo Echeverria, 74, were fired on Wednesday. Echeverria, who taught philosophy and systematic theology, confirmed his firing Thursday when asked by the National Catholic Register, CNA's sister news partner, but declined further comment, citing a nondisclosure agreement.
Both men have criticized Pope Francis in the past for what they described as his theologically ambiguous or even misleading public statements.
In January 2024, Martin wrote a column for the Register arguing that an oral statement by Pope Francis during an interview expressing hope that hell is empty "plays into a widespread sympathy towards a heresy called 'universalism,' which teaches that perhaps — or certainly — everyone will eventually end up in heaven."
Martin is the host of "The Choices We Face" on EWTN, which owns the Register and CNA, and has appeared on or hosted other EWTN programs.
He is also the founder and president of Renewal Ministries, which sponsors international missions and holds evangelizing events in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Toronto each year.
In his written statement Thursday, Martin described a busy summer schedule that continues despite his firing from the seminary.
"As I write this, I have just returned from a national deacons' conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Tomorrow, I will leave for a conference in Birmingham, Alabama. Then, Bishop Scott McCaig and I will leave on Monday for a priests' retreat supporting hundreds of priests in Cameroon," Martin said.
When Pope Francis died April 21, Weisenberger called a press conference, during which he praised the late pontiff for his statements on climate change and immigration, among other things, and called Francis "the perfect man at the right time" and suggested he was "a saint."
The archbishop also praised Pope Francis for his informal speaking style.
"No one could be that transparent and not be authentic," Weisenburger said. "So many people in the world today, especially on the international stage, measure every word. He didn't measure anything."
"He spoke from the heart," Weisenburger continued. "He spoke what was on his mind. And in that way, I think he kind of just reflected something of the great prophets of Scripture, who would allow the Holy Spirit to well up within them, speak the words, and let it fall on whatever ears would listen."
A reporter asked the archbishop about how he deals with Catholic conservatives and traditionalists who thought Pope Francis was too liberal.
"Whenever anyone speaks prophetically, they're always going to rub some people the wrong way," Weisenburger said.
He said that when he ran into Catholics who didn't like Pope Francis, they nevertheless accepted him as pope and prayed for him.
"Even the Holy Father himself would say the arms of the Church are broad and wide, and there's a place for almost everybody. And so I think he was OK with people who ask questions," Weiseburger said. "And I'm kind of OK with them, too."
This story was first published by the National Catholic Register, CNA's sister news partner, and has been adapted by CNA.
