In Crisitello v. St. Theresa School, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that the religious tenets exception to the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination provides an affirmative defense to religious entities in claims of employment discrimination.

Plaintiff Victoria Crisitello was fired from her position at St. Theresa School, a Roman Catholic elementary school, when she became pregnant while unmarried, according to the opinion. Crisitello, a former student at St. Theresa, began her employment there in 2011. In 2014, the school’s principal, Sister Lee, approached Crisitello about the possibility of teaching full time. During that meeting, Crisitello shared that she was pregnant. A few weeks later, Lee informed Crisitello that she could not remain on staff due to her violation of the schools’ Code of Ethics.