VINELAND, N.J. — Jadira Bonilla, a 35-year-old kindergarten teacher at St. Mary Catholic School in Vineland, says her decision to become a surrogate has put her career in limbo.

Bonilla said the issue came to light about two weeks ago when she informed a school official about her surrogacy. She was shocked by the response.

“Me, not thinking anything of it, not thinking I’m doing anything wrong, because the first time I was a surrogate, I was at a different Catholic school. I said, ‘Oh, I’m going to be a surrogate.’ And he looked at me and said, ‘You are renting your uterus?'” Bonilla recalled.

A few days later, she was called into a meeting with school and church officials.

“They said I was possibly in violation of my contract and that I would be suspended or placed on administrative leave,” she said.

Bonilla, who is 25 weeks pregnant, said she was placed on paid leave on Sept. 12. She has not received written documentation explaining what part of her contract she allegedly violated.

The Catholic Church has long had issues with surrogacy, viewing it as a violation of human dignity and the natural order of procreation.

St. Mary School released the following statement:

“It has been our hope to meet with her to help her fully understand the Catholic Church’s teaching on Surrogacy, but that has not happened as of yet. Mrs. Bonilla is a valued teacher and one we hope will one day again teach in our school with the full knowledge of our faith, which guides our educational principles.”

Bonilla said she has no regrets but admits the past few weeks have been difficult.

“It’s been overwhelming. It’s been stressful. Just not knowing-where do I go from here? What’s going to happen with my job?” she said.

She has a meeting scheduled with church and school officials to discuss the matter further on Saturday.