A longtime New York news anchor who was fired from a local ABC affiliate after allegedly calling his co-host a “c***” once worked as a priest in Florida.
Ken Rosato, 56, was fired earlier this month after making rude comments towards his co-presenter Shirleen Allicot that were caught on a hot mic.
He worked at a church in Hollywood, Florida called Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Community as he pursued a career in journalism.
The church was started in October 2000 by a small group of local Catholics, including Rosato, but he later moved to New York in 2003 to take on a role as a freelance journalist.
He has yet to comment on his dismissal, and WABC did not respond to request for comment.
Longtime New York City anchor Ken Rosato, 56 (left), who was fired from local ABC affiliate after allegedly calling his co-host a ‘c***’ once worked as a priest in florida
Rosato was reportedly fired from his post after being surprised by a hot microphone calling his co-presenter Shirleen Allicot, right, a “c***”
The Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Community was created by a group of faithful, including Rosato, because they wanted to “worship in a welcoming environment that offered the Catholic tradition with valid sacraments”.
The church is not directly associated with Roman Catholicism, but it has stated that it respects the religious institution and follows similar ideals.
But it allows divorce and contraception, which the Roman Catholic Church strongly opposes.
Its mission statement reads, “The faithful can feel free to attend our Masses knowing that they will not be judged for their human frailties.”
Rosato presided as a priest until he moved to New York to take up a freelance reporting position at Eyewitness News in 2003.
He was later promoted to morning and noon presenter in 2007, but is believed to have worked as both at the same time.
Rosato presided over a wedding ceremony in October 2007 for fellow journalist Tamsen Fadal and her now ex-husband Matt Titus, according to the New York Times.
It’s unclear if or when the news anchor quit practicing as a priest, but he enjoyed a successful career as a journalist and worked at ABC 7 until May 12, when he was fired.
Rosato (right) worked at a church in Hollywood called Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Community as he pursued a career as a journalist
Rosato allegedly made an ‘off-color’ remark off the air and was fired ‘immediately for cause’
The local news station has yet to comment publicly on his abrupt dismissal earlier this month
He was originally thought to have made a racist comment, but his agent vehemently denied the allegations.
“Being fired for a racial slur is 100% inaccurate and wrong. Ken Rosato had a 20-year reference to WABC to back any equality,’ his spokesperson said.
An insider said Rosato was “immediately released” and “terminated for cause” but went no further.
His former colleagues were informed of his dismissal on Friday during a series of one-on-one meetings. They weren’t told what Rosato said.
An email was also sent to staff stating that he was “no longer with WABC”. We thank him for his years of service.
Rosato started with ABC New York in 2003 as a freelance reporter for the brand’s Eyewitness News show.
In 2007, Rosato was given a chance at the anchor office and stayed there to host This Morning alongside Shirleen Allicot, Heather O’Rourke and Sam Champion.
Rosato’s presence has been removed from ABC New York’s website and social media, including a profile segment that was made about him in September 2020.
He also hasn’t tweeted since May 2.
Rosato started with ABC New York in 2003 as a freelance reporter for the brand’s Eyewitness News show. He is pictured here speaking at the 50th anniversary of the first pride march in 2020
In 2007, Rosato was given a chance at the anchor office and stayed there to host This Morning alongside Shirleen Allicot, Heather O’Rourke and Sam Champion. He is pictured with Billy Porter and Lauren Glassberg in 2019
In a 2020 interview, Rosato described his rise to the ABC New York anchor office as the ‘most glorious moment’ of his life.
In the profile, Rosato says his first love was opera and his dream job was to become a veterinarian. The former presenter also talks about his love of cooking in the play.
During the interview, Rosato is asked what was the most glorious moment of his life, the presenter responds by saying it was when he was asked to headline the ABC New News program. York.
“I was a full-time freelance journalist, I was lucky enough to complete the anchor. The ratings skyrocketed. The ratings skyrocketed.
‘So I was told, ‘We’re offering you a new contract. You are our new morning anchor. It was the moment I dreamed of for about 20 years and it came true.
According to his LinkedIn page, Rosato previously worked for Fox New York and CBS Miami before landing at affiliate ABC. He graduated from NYU where he studied radio, Italian and Spanish.
