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

A South New Jersey Catholic school teacher, Jadira Bonilla, has been placed on leave after revealing to her principal that she was carrying a couple’s surrogate baby. The 35-year-old kindergarten teacher at St. Mary School in Vineland was placed on paid leave on September 12 for allegedly violating her employment contract and the school’s “educational principles.”

Bonilla expressed her disappointment at being punished for her decision to help a family by serving as a surrogate. She emphasized that she was not committing a crime and felt hurt by the school’s response. Despite being described as a “valued” teacher by the school principal, Steven Hogan, Bonilla’s surrogacy plans conflicted with the Catholic church’s stance on surrogacy, which guided the school’s educational principles.

The Catholic Church has historically opposed surrogacy, considering it contradictory to the sanctity of marriage. Pope Francis has strongly criticized surrogacy in the past, labeling it as a “despicable” practice. However, Bonilla pointed out that her contract or employee handbook did not mention surrogacy or in vitro fertilization when she joined the school.

During a meeting with school officials, Hogan informed Bonilla that she could not continue working at the school while carrying another couple’s child. Despite requesting written documentation of this decision, none was provided. As a result, Bonilla made the decision to proceed with the surrogacy contract she had already agreed to with the couple.

On September 12, Bonilla was called in for a meeting with officials from the Diocese of Camden, who informed her that she was potentially violating her contract and would be placed on leave pending an investigation. Despite her love for teaching and her students, Bonilla expressed disappointment at being sidelined from her job.

While the school expressed hope that Bonilla would understand the Catholic Church’s teachings on surrogacy, she maintained that she had not been given the opportunity to discuss this matter fully. Bonilla, who was inspired to become a surrogate after learning about her cousin’s inability to carry a child, has received overwhelming support from many parents at the school.

At 25 weeks pregnant with a couple’s child, whom she had previously carried a baby for, Bonilla remains committed to helping families through surrogacy. St. Mary School did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.