Fired for Using IVF to Have Family

A Catholic employer let the English teacher go; it could happen here

By Liz Dorland

CREATED Apr. 26, 2012

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  • They wanted a baby and turned to science for help. So why would a catholic school teacher lose her job over that? Video by kmtv.com

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Omaha, NE -- They wanted a baby and turned to science for help. So why would a Catholic school teacher lose her job over that?  A life choice and questions over who gets to choose?  An Indiana woman is fighting to get her job back after she told her boss she and her husband were trying to get pregnant using in vitro fertilization to get pregnant.   The Indiana woman just filed a federal lawsuit against the Diocese of Fort Wayne after her priest called her "grave, immoral sinner" and let her go. 

Working for a Catholic employer could cost you your job for using science to have a family.  Emily Herx lost her job.  She said it's been a very traumatic experience.  Herx learned her contract with St. Vincent de Paul School in Fort Wayne, Indiana wouldn't be re-newed after she told her boss she and her husband were using IVF to have a baby.  "I said well you know my principal has been knowing about this for two years. I didn't think I was doing anything wrong," explained Herx.

Indiana Diocese released this statement : "The church promotes treatment of infertility through means that respect the right to life, the unity of marriage, and procreation brought about as the fruit of the conjugal act. There are other infertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization, which are not morally licit according to Catholic teaching."

It can happen here in Omaha too. Deacon Tim McNeil with the Omaha Archdiocese says "In our teacher and principal contracts, it's clear they can be terminated if their conduct is in violation with the church doctrine".

MaryAnn Caveye said, "In vitro is not to be used. I think she should have waited for a natural child birth."

That is the Catholic church's position and carried out here at the Pope Paul VI Institute here in Omaha.  Doctor Catherine Keefe explained Artificial-Insemination and In vitro are off limits.  She said, "It's not in gods plan to do it this way."

"The Catholic church believes in the sanity of the sexual act," Dr. Keefe added.

Rhonda Petrini said she has mixed emotions.  "Well we are Catholic and we do have our beliefs and we do have to follow our beliefs. I have both sides of the story. God did give our doctors the brains to come up with it to help people," said the mother.

Jason Haacke believes employers should stay out of the issue. "Its the woman's right to do what she feels needed to have a family," Haacke said.

It's a moral dilemma and a legal one too. 

Reported By: Liz Dorland, ldorland@action3news.com