In a recent and controversial development, Jadira Bonilla, a 35-year-old kindergarten teacher at St. Mary School in Vineland, New Jersey, has been placed on paid administrative leave after disclosing that she is acting as a gestational surrogate. The decision, made by the school’s administration and supported by the Diocese of Camden, has sparked significant debate about the intersection of personal choices, religious doctrine, and employment rights.
Bonilla, who is 25 weeks pregnant with a baby girl she is carrying for another couple, expressed shock and dismay at the school’s response, noting that she had previously served as a surrogate while teaching at another Catholic school without issue. This case highlights the complex tensions between individual freedoms and the expectations of religious institutions, raising questions about fairness, ethics, and institutional policies.
The Circumstances Leading to Bonilla’s Leave
Jadira Bonilla has been a dedicated kindergarten teacher at St. Mary School for three and a half years, earning praise from parents and colleagues alike. On September 12, 2025, Bonilla informed the school’s principal, Steven Hogan, about her surrogacy pregnancy, expecting understanding or at least a neutral response. Instead, she was called into a meeting with representatives from the Diocese of Camden, who informed her that her decision to act as a gestational surrogate might violate her employment contract.
According to Bonilla, the administrators accused her of breaching the terms of her agreement, citing the Catholic Church’s stance against surrogacy as a guiding principle for the school’s policies. Bonilla, who is carrying a baby girl for a couple struggling with infertility, was placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation by the diocese. She told media outlets that she was blindsided by the decision, as neither her employment contract nor the school’s employee handbook explicitly mentions surrogacy or in vitro fertilization as prohibited activities.
Bonilla emphasized that she is not committing a crime and described the school’s response as punitive, stating, “I’m being punished as if I was, it’s hurtful.” Her frustration stems from the fact that she had previously served as a surrogate four years ago while teaching at a Catholic school in Philadelphia without facing any repercussions, leading her to believe her current surrogacy would not be an issue.
The school’s principal, Steven Hogan, issued a statement acknowledging Bonilla as a “valued teacher” but reiterated that the Catholic Church’s teachings on surrogacy guide the institution’s educational principles. Hogan expressed hope that a meeting could be arranged with Bonilla to discuss the Church’s position, though as of September 26, 2025, no such meeting had reportedly taken place. The lack of clear communication and the abrupt nature of the decision have left Bonilla and her supporters questioning the fairness of the school’s actions.
The Catholic Church’s Stance on Surrogacy
The Catholic Church’s opposition to surrogacy is rooted in its teachings on the sanctity of life, marriage, and procreation. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, surrogacy is considered unethical because it separates procreation from the marital act and undermines the dignity of the child, who the Church believes has a right to be conceived by their own parents within the context of marriage. The late Pope Francis, who passed away before this incident, had been vocal about his disapproval of surrogacy, describing it as a “despicable” practice and calling for a universal ban in 2024.
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This strong stance has shaped the policies of many Catholic institutions, including schools, which often incorporate religious doctrine into their employment agreements. In Bonilla’s case, the Diocese of Camden appears to be aligning with this doctrine, arguing that her role as a surrogate conflicts with the moral expectations of a Catholic school teacher. However, Bonilla contends that the absence of explicit language in her contract or handbook prohibiting surrogacy makes the school’s decision unjust.
She argues that her personal decision to help a couple build a family does not interfere with her ability to teach or uphold the school’s values in the classroom. The case echoes a broader tension within Catholic institutions, where employees are often expected to align their personal lives with Church teachings, even when those expectations are not clearly outlined in employment documents. This is not the first time a New Jersey Catholic school has faced controversy over a teacher’s pregnancy.
In 2023, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that religious entities, including schools, are not required to adhere to state discrimination laws if doing so conflicts with their religious beliefs. That case involved a teacher who was dismissed from a Kenilworth Catholic school after disclosing she was unmarried and pregnant. The precedent set by that ruling may bolster St. Mary School’s position, as it suggests religious institutions have significant leeway in enforcing their doctrinal standards, even in cases involving pregnancy or family planning decisions.
Community Response and Broader Implications
Bonilla’s situation has elicited a strong response from the parents of her students, many of whom have rallied in her support. According to reports, parents have expressed a desire for Bonilla to return to the classroom, praising her dedication and positive impact on their children. This outpouring of support underscores the disconnect between the school’s decision and the sentiments of the community it serves. For many, Bonilla’s act of surrogacy is seen as a selfless gesture to help another family, rather than a violation of moral or ethical standards.
The case also raises broader questions about the rights of employees in religious institutions. While Catholic schools have the legal backing to enforce policies aligned with their faith, critics argue that such policies can infringe on personal freedoms, particularly when they are not clearly communicated to employees. Bonilla’s assertion that her contract does not explicitly prohibit surrogacy highlights a potential gap in how religious institutions communicate expectations to their staff. Without clear guidelines, employees like Bonilla may find themselves unexpectedly penalized for personal decisions that fall outside the Church’s teachings.
Furthermore, the case touches on the evolving societal views on surrogacy and reproductive technologies. Surrogacy has become increasingly common as a means for couples, including those facing infertility, to build families. However, the Catholic Church’s firm opposition to such practices places its institutions at odds with modern trends, creating challenges for employees who navigate both their personal values and their professional obligations. Bonilla’s experience as a surrogate at another Catholic school without issue suggests that not all Catholic institutions interpret or enforce Church teachings in the same way, adding to the complexity of the issue.
The ongoing investigation by the Diocese of Camden will likely determine whether Bonilla can return to her position or face further consequences. In the meantime, her case serves as a flashpoint for discussions about the balance between religious freedom and individual rights. For Bonilla, the situation is deeply personal. She has expressed a sense of betrayal, noting that her intention was to help a family in need, not to defy her employer’s values. “What I’m doing is to help a family out,” she told media outlets, emphasizing the altruistic nature of her decision.
As this story continues to unfold, it will likely prompt further scrutiny of how religious institutions navigate the personal choices of their employees. For now, Jadira Bonilla remains on paid leave, awaiting clarity on her future at St. Mary School. Her case is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by individuals who work in environments where personal and institutional values may not always align, and it underscores the need for clearer policies and open dialogue to prevent such conflicts in the future.