Catholic School Teacher Persecuted for Displaying Crucifix
A small crucifix has sparked a major controversy at DiLoreto Elementary and Middle School in Connecticut, raising serious concerns about the treatment of Christianity in schools.
In December 2024, the vice principal of the school informed Mrs. Marisol Arroyo-Castro, a devout Catholic 7th-grade teacher, that she needed to remove a crucifix near her desk, deeming it "offensive." When Mrs. Arroyo-Castro refused to comply, she was placed on administrative leave.
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The Crucifix Controversy
This incident, which resembles the persecution of Catholics in faraway Communist China, took place in New Britain, Connecticut, in 2025—right here in America.
First Liberty Institute, along with the law firm WilmerHale, has taken up Mrs. Arroyo-Castro’s case, which highlights the troubling violation of her freedom to worship God.
For ten years, Mrs. Arroyo-Castro, a dedicated educator, had kept a crucifix on her office wall. It served as a personal reminder for her to pray throughout the day, a practice that often led her to sit at her desk in quiet reflection rather than join colleagues in the lunchroom.
However, things took a turn when Assistant Principal Andrew Mazzei reached out via email to discuss a concern regarding the crucifix. Mazzei insisted that Mrs. Arroyo-Castro remove the crucifix, and he planned to check her classroom the following Monday to ensure it was gone.
The Escalation: A School’s Stance on Religious Symbols
On December 10, 2024, Mrs. Arroyo-Castro was called into a meeting with the school principal, vice principal, the district’s Chief of Staff for Relations and Accountability, and a representative from the Connecticut Federation of Teachers. This meeting only intensified the pressure on Mrs. Arroyo-Castro to remove the cross.
She was told that she could hide the crucifix inside or under her desk—an offer that felt like an outright denial of her Faith. The school principal, Dario Soto, went so far as to say that Christianity should not involve the worship of "idols."
Accusations of Insubordination and Defiance
Initially, Mrs. Arroyo-Castro complied with the request, but the very next day, she placed the crucifix back where it had always been. She made it clear that she would not "hide her light under a bushel." In response, the school issued a Letter of Reprimand, accusing her of insubordination and threatening further disciplinary action.
The situation escalated when Principal Soto personally entered her classroom and demanded that she remove the crucifix. Despite the looming threat of suspension or termination, Mrs. Arroyo-Castro stood firm in her beliefs, refusing to take it down.
Soviet-Style Persecution?
The following morning, the crucifix was missing from her workspace. Mrs. Arroyo-Castro was called into another meeting with school administrators, who suggested that a suspension without pay would give her time to "reflect." After being suspended, Mrs. Arroyo-Castro made it clear that she would not return to the school under the conditions imposed by the administration. She remains on paid leave as the dispute continues.
A Wider Issue: Religious Discrimination in America
The removal of Mrs. Arroyo-Castro’s crucifix is part of a troubling trend of attacks on Christianity in America. While other symbols—such as rainbow flags—are openly displayed in schools with “pride,” Christianity is targeted.
As one parent said, "I am kind of mad about it because any other religion can display their stuff except for Christianity. We are always getting attacked… We can display rainbow flags, pride stuff, Muslim stuff, and nothing gets done about it. But only Christianity gets attacked."
Take Action: Stand with Mrs. Arroyo-Castro
This is not just an issue of a teacher’s personal faith; it’s about the rights of all Christians to express their Faith freely in the public sphere.
We urge you to join the peaceful protest organized by TFP Student Action and demand that the Consolidated School District of New Britain reinstate Mrs. Arroyo-Castro. Additionally, they should issue a formal apology for the inappropriate behavior displayed by DiLoreto’s faculty.
May God protect America.
Sign the petition and make your voice heard.