New Jersey teacher placed on leave from Catholic school over surrogacy pregnancy

A Catholic school teacher in southern New Jersey has been placed on administrative leave after revealing to her principal that she is serving as a surrogate for a couple, as reported.

Jadira Bonilla, who is 35 years old, was put on paid leave from St. Mary School in Vineland on September 12. This action was reportedly taken for breaching her employment agreement and the school’s educational values, according to NJ.com.

“I’m not breaking any laws, yet I’m being treated as though I am, and that hurts,” Bonilla, who has been a kindergarten teacher for over three years, shared with the publication.

“What I’m doing is to assist a family,” she added.

Principal Steven Hogan described Bonilla as a “valuable” educator but emphasized that the Catholic Church’s views on surrogacy influence the institution’s educational guidelines in comments to the media.

The Catholic Church has historically opposed surrogacy, viewing it as contrary to the sanctity of marriage. Pope Francis has notably labeled surrogacy as a “despicable” act.

Despite the Church’s stance, Bonilla stated that her contract and the employee handbook did not address surrogacy or in vitro fertilization.

“I didn’t think it would be a problem, considering I had been a surrogate for another Catholic school before,” Bonilla remarked, describing Hogan’s reaction to her surrogacy plans as “judgmental.”

During their meeting, Hogan allegedly advised Bonilla that she could not continue her employment at St. Mary while pregnant with another couple’s child but did not provide any written confirmation of his decision despite her request.

Consequently, eager to assist, Bonilla proceeded with the surrogacy agreement with a couple that approached her, according to reports.

On September 12, shortly after disclosing her surrogate pregnancy to Hogan, she was summoned to a meeting with officials from the Diocese of Camden, who informed her that she was “possibly” violating her contractual obligations and would be placed on leave pending an “investigation.”

“I was devastated… I truly love my job. I enjoy working with my students. I miss being in the classroom,” Bonilla expressed.

“We completely understand Mrs. Bonilla’s concerns. Our aim has been to meet with her to help her grasp the Catholic Church’s teachings on surrogacy, but that has yet to occur,” Principal Hogan added in his statement.

“Mrs. Bonilla is an esteemed teacher, and we hope she will return to instructing at our school, fully aware of our faith, which forms the foundation of our educational principles,” he indicated.

In a similar case, a New Jersey Catholic teacher was dismissed from her position after informing school officials that she was pregnant. In 2023, the state Supreme Court ruled that religious entities are not obligated to comply with discrimination laws when acting in accordance with their faith, allowing a Catholic school in Kenilworth to lawfully terminate the employment of a woman who disclosed her unmarried pregnancy, as reported.

This ruling concluded a decade-long legal dispute.

Bonilla, motivated to become a surrogate after discovering her cousin was unable to carry a child, has experienced widespread support from parents at the school.

Currently, she is 25 weeks along with the couple’s child, for whom she has previously borne another baby.

“The love and support I’ve received from so many folks have been incredible,” Bonilla remarked.

At the time of publication, St. Mary School had not responded to a request for comment from The Post.