Gay Ohio teacher: I knew engagement would cost job

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A band and choir director at a Roman Catholic high school said today that he knew announcing his engagement to another man likely would mean he could no longer teach at the school because of the church’s teachings on marriage.

Still, he hoped to finish out the school year, but the school parted ways with him immediately.

Brian Panetta said he was forced him to resign last week after he told administrators at Sandusky Central Catholic School about his engagement over the Christmas break.

“As a proud and gay Catholic, I understand the Church’s teachings on marriage and agree that my engagement is a public statement of my position for marriage equality, which the Catholic Church does not yet support,” Panetta wrote in a letter to members of the school. “I am hopeful to see change in the future, but until then I am praying for strength and understanding and encourage my students to do the same.”

The Catholic Diocese of Toledo said it backed the school’s decision “in light of the Church’s clear teaching on sacred marriage” while noting that Panetta acknowledged that his marriage plans were contrary to the church’s doctrines.