A kindergarten teacher at a Catholic school in Vineland, New Jersey, has been placed on administrative leave and faces potential job loss after she informed school officials that she is pregnant as a surrogate for a family. The school suggests her decision may conflict with Catholic Church doctrine and violate her employment contract.
Jadira Bonilla, 35, who is 25 weeks pregnant, was put on paid leave from St. Mary's School on September 12. The situation has created uncertainty about her future at the institution, where her actions are being reviewed in light of the Catholic Church's teachings against surrogacy.
Key Takeaways
- Jadira Bonilla, a kindergarten teacher, was placed on administrative leave by St. Mary's School in Vineland, NJ.
- The action was taken after she revealed she was serving as a surrogate, which the school claims may violate her contract and church tenets.
- The Catholic Church officially opposes surrogacy, viewing it as contrary to the principles of procreation and human dignity.
- Bonilla, who is 25 weeks pregnant, is on paid leave and awaits a final decision about her employment.
Teacher's Disclosure Leads to Immediate Action
The issue began when Jadira Bonilla casually mentioned her pregnancy to a school official. She said she did not anticipate a negative reaction, as she had previously worked at another Catholic school while serving as a surrogate for the same family without any issue. However, the response at St. Mary's School was starkly different.
Bonilla recounted the conversation with an official to reporters. "Me not thinking anything of it, not thinking I'm doing anything wrong... I said, 'Oh, I'm gonna be a surrogate.' And he looks at me and says, 'You're renting your uterus?'" she stated.
Shortly after this exchange, Bonilla was called into a formal meeting with representatives from both the school and the church. It was during this meeting that she was informed of the potential consequences of her decision to be a surrogate.
"So I go into the office and they said I'm possibly in violation of my contract and that I would be suspended or placed on administrative leave," Bonilla explained.
Timeline of Events
- Prior Employment: Bonilla completed her first surrogacy for the same family while working at a different Catholic school without incident.
- Recent Disclosure: She informed an official at St. Mary's School about her current surrogate pregnancy.
- September 12: Bonilla was officially placed on paid administrative leave pending a review.
- Upcoming Meeting: A meeting between Bonilla and school/church officials is scheduled to determine her future employment.
Conflict with Catholic Church Doctrine
The core of the conflict lies in the official teachings of the Catholic Church regarding reproductive technologies. The Church opposes practices like surrogacy and in vitro fertilization (IVF), arguing they separate the act of procreation from the marital union.
The Vatican's Stance on Surrogacy
The Catechism of the Catholic Church addresses reproductive technologies, stating that techniques involving a person other than the married couple are "gravely immoral." Surrogacy is seen as infringing upon a child's right to be born of a mother and father known to them and bound by marriage. It also views the practice as a disservice to the dignity of the woman, whose body is used as a means to an end.
The principal of St. Mary's School released a statement that reflects this position. The statement emphasized the school's desire to educate Bonilla on the church's perspective while also acknowledging her value as a teacher.
"It has been our hope to meet with her to help her fully understand the Catholic Church's teaching on surrogacy, but that has not happened as of yet," the principal's statement read. "Mrs. Bonilla is a valued teacher and one we hope will one day again teach in our school with the full knowledge of our faith which guides our educational principles."
An Uncertain Future and Personal Toll
For Bonilla, the school's action has resulted in significant personal and professional stress. While she is currently receiving pay, the ambiguity of her employment status has left her in a difficult position as she navigates her pregnancy.
This is the second time Bonilla has acted as a surrogate for the same family, a decision she made to help others build their family. The lack of conflict during her first surrogacy at a different Catholic institution left her unprepared for the current situation.
"It's been overwhelming. It's been stressful, you know, just not knowing where do I go from here, what's gonna happen with my job," she shared with WPVI reporters.
Her case highlights the complex intersection of personal decisions, religious doctrine, and employment law, particularly for individuals working in faith-based institutions. These schools often include clauses in employment contracts requiring staff to adhere to the tenets of the faith in both their professional and personal lives.
Broader Context of Employment in Religious Institutions
This situation is not unique. Across the United States, employees at religious schools and institutions have faced disciplinary action or termination for conduct deemed to be in violation of church teachings. These cases often involve issues related to marriage, sexuality, and reproductive choices.
Key Legal Considerations
Legal protections for employees in such situations can be complicated. Religious institutions often have significant latitude under the law to enforce conduct standards aligned with their faith, often referred to as a "ministerial exception." However, whether a kindergarten teacher qualifies under this exception can be a point of legal contention.
The outcome of Bonilla's upcoming meeting with school and church officials will determine her immediate future and could serve as another example of the challenges faced by employees whose personal lives diverge from the doctrines of their religious employers. The case continues to develop as all parties prepare for the decisive discussion.