FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) — Two national groups are throwing their support behind a former parochial school teacher who claims she was fired for trying to get pregnant using in vitro fertilization.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the American Civil Liberties Union filed friends of the court briefs Monday supporting Emily Herx.
Herx sued the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend in federal court in Fort Wayne in April, claiming she was discriminated against for a disability when her teaching contract wasn’t renewed. Herx suffers from infertility, which is protected under federal law.
She underwent in vitro fertilization, which is banned under Roman Catholic doctrine. When news of Herx’s treatment came to light, diocesan officials decided not to renew her contract. The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission ruled in her favor in January. [Source]
7 comments
If she works under a yearly contract, and her contract was not renewed, how does that mean she was fired?
Infertility is protected, in the sense that there are anti-discrimination laws in effect; e.g. you can’t fire someone from a job (that does not depend on fertility) for being infertile.
Strange story given how so many people will go to great lengths to become infertile through drugs or surgery. You would think that being fertile and open to life would be a protected class – you know in a nostalgic sort of way.
She wasn’t being fired for being infertile. She was fired for committing acts that are against the teachings of the Church. I wonder if her contract had a morality clause, which should cover this.
This story reminds me of went Victor use to serve High Mass and stole from The Holy Angels and on the third occasion, Saint Francis looked him in the eyes and simply said; “There are a LOT of hypocrites in this world!”
What are ya talking about sinner vic? 🙁
As usual “NOTHING” Victor! 🙂
Peace
She wasn’t being fired for being infertile. She was fired for committing acts that are against the teachings of the Church.
Yes. and if I remember correctly, she was warned in advance that doing it might jeopardize her job.
I just wonder why people feel the need to discuss these things at work….especially knowing that IVF is not popular in the Catholic community. Don’t ask, don’t tell perhaps? Or use some discretion people!