New Jersey Teacher on Leave from Catholic School After Revealing Surrogacy Pregnancy
Vineland, NJ – A teacher at St. Mary School in Vineland, New Jersey, has been placed on leave after informing school officials she is pregnant via surrogacy, a practice the Catholic Church opposes.The teacher, identified as Bonilla, was reportedly told she could not continue working at the school while carrying a child for another couple, despite the issue not being addressed in her contract or employee handbook.
Bonilla, who had previously worked as a surrogate at another Catholic school, described the principal’s reaction to her announcement last year as “judgmental.” According to Bonilla, Principal Steven hogan verbally informed her of the school’s position but did not provide any written documentation when she requested it. She later proceeded with a surrogacy arrangement with a couple.
On September 12th, over a week after disclosing her pregnancy, Bonilla was called into a meeting with Diocese of Camden officials and informed she was “possibly” violating her contract and would be placed on leave pending an “examination.”
“I was upset…I truly love my job. I love working with my students. I miss being in the classroom,” Bonilla told CBS Philadelphia.
Principal Hogan stated, “We certainly understand Mrs. Bonilla’s concern. 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.” He further emphasized that Bonilla is a “valued teacher” and expressed hope she would “one day again teach in our school with the full knowledge of our faith, which guides our educational principles.”
The situation highlights the complex intersection of religious beliefs and employment law. In 2023, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that religious entities are not required to abide by anti-discrimination laws when adhering to their faith, a decision that allowed Kenilworth Catholic school to legally fire a woman for being unmarried and pregnant after a decade-long legal battle.
Bonilla, inspired to become a surrogate after learning of her cousin’s inability to carry a child, has reportedly received significant support from parents at the school. She is currently 25 weeks pregnant, carrying a child for a couple she previously assisted in having a baby.
St. Mary School did not respond to a request for comment from The post at the time of publication.