Sons of suspended Catholic teacher try to raise $100G after anti-gay comment outcry

This article was published March 18, 2015.

UPDATE - March 21, 2015: Bishop of Metuchen says Immaculata teacher's comments 'disturbing' -- and, no, she hasn't lost her job.

SOMERVILLE – A Catholic school teacher who was suspended following a social media firestorm over anti-gay comments she posted on Facebook now is looking for donations.

The plea was posted on the online fundraising site YouCaring.com and addressed from unnamed individuals claiming to be the children of Patricia Jannuzzi, who was suspended last week by Immaculata High School in this borough.

The website Wednesday afternoon had raised more than $13,500 from 51 supporters toward a goal of $100,000.

"Our family is about to lose our health benefits. Our mother has recently and successfully battled breast cancer without missing a single day of teaching, except for the day of her operation. Health benefits are important to our family," the webpage states.

"In addition, we have home, insurance, automobile and many other family expenses including educational expenses for two teenage sons. (One in college, one in high school.).

"Due to the overwhelming attacks in the media on her statement of Catholic belief, we do not believe she will be able to find another teaching position."

The site says Jannuzzi, 57, was earning salary and benefits worth $75,500.

Jannuzzi could not be reached for comment Wednesday and her children did not return a request for comment sent through the fundraising page. School officials also did not return a request for comment.

The fundraising pitch presents only a partial quote of what Jannuzzi posted on Facebook —"We need healthy families with a mother and a father for the sake of the children and humanity" — but leaves out the rest of the remarks that angered hundreds of alumni, including former "Real Housewives of New Jersey" cast member Greg Bennett. Jannuzzi's comments also caught the attention of actress Susan Sarandon, whose nephew graduated from the school.

Jannuzzi, commenting on a story about gay activist Dan Savage's vulgar response to conservative media personality Ben Carson's statement comparing gays to prison inmates, said gays are behind an "agenda" to "reengineer western civ into a slow extinction."

She also said that the argument that gays are protected under the 14th Amendment is "bologna."

Jannuzzi has not commented publicly since the news was was first reported by MyCentralJersey.com last Wednesday after the school ordered her to disable her Facebook page.

Two days later, the school announced that Jannuzzi had been placed on administrative leave, while the school principal and parish priest distanced themselves from her statement.

Monsignor Seamus Brennan and Principal Jean Kline said the teacher's comments were "completely inconsistent with our policy and position as a Catholic Christian community."

"We 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," the letter said.

The school's response prompted a backlash on religious and conservative media. Writing in The American Conservative, Rod Dreher asked: "Could Pope Francis teach here?" On FirstThings.com, Matthew J. Franck defended Jannuzzi in a piece titled "Threatened for her zeal for the faith."

The alumni petition slamming Jannuzzi's comments had more than 1,100 supporters on Wednesday and comments from dozens and dozens of alumni.

Staff Writer Sergio Bichao: 908-243-6615; sbichao@mycentraljersey.com