Lawsuit over pregnant teacher firing begins

Lawsuit over pregnant teacher firing begins

CINCINNATI (AP) — Trial is beginning in a teacher’s lawsuit alleging a Catholic archdiocese violated anti-discrimination laws by firing her over her pregnancy from artificial insemination.

Opening statements are expected today in Christa Dias’ federal lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati and two schools. The lawsuit says her 2010 firing violated federal and state laws. Dias says she was fired because she was pregnant and unmarried and that church policies aren’t enforced equally against men and women.

The archdiocese says Dias was fired because artificial insemination is immoral and violated church doctrine and her contract. The archdiocese also says Dias was a ministerial employee and the Supreme Court has said religious groups can dismiss those employees without government interference.

Dias says she taught computer technology and had no ministerial duties.