Religion teacher suspended after anti-gay Facebook rant
By Ryan Love
A Religion teacher in New Jersey has been suspended after posting an anti-gay rant on Facebook.
Patricia Jannuzzi was placed on administrative leave by the Immaculata High School, who said her message was “completely inconsistent with our policy and position as a Catholic Christian community”.
In her post, Jannuzzi argued that gay activists “want to re-engineer western civ into a slow extinction”, adding: We need healthy families with a mother and a father for the sake of the children and humanity!!!!!”
Her comments hit the headlines when actress Susan Sarandon shared a Facebook post by her nephew, one of Jannuzzi’s students.
“”So proud of my nephew Scott and the dialogue he started. He was responding to a teacher he had at his high school who still believes homosexuality is a learned behavior,” the Academy Award winner wrote. “High school is a tough time anyway… students don’t need teachers making it even more difficult.”
Real Housewives of New Jersey star Greg Bennett, who had Jannuzzi as a teacher his senior year, also spoke out, writing: “Vitriol like this from religious fanatics doesn’t shock me much anymore, but knowing this woman has a hand in shaping the minds and hearts of students today does not sit well with me.”
According to Mycentraljersey.com, Msgr. Sean Brennan, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, and Principal Jean Kline said in a letter to the school community that the postings by Jannuzzi were ‘
In a letter, pastor Msgr. Sean Brennan said that the school “will do everything we can in this trying time to make clear that the philosophy of Immaculata High School is one of inclusion rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ.”
He went on to state that the school is “taking every necessary step to reinforce established guidelines and promote a clear understanding of acceptable use of social media and to refresh sensitivity awareness consistent with Christ’s teachings”.
Sarandon shared the letter in a second Facebook post, adding: “Goes to show that you should always speak out when you see something that’s not right. Silence is complicity.”
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