Ind. diocese denies discrimination over IVF

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - An Indiana diocese is denying that it discriminated against a parochial school teacher who claims she was fired for violating Roman Catholic doctrine by using in vitro fertilization to try to get pregnant.

The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and St. Vincent de Paul school in Fort Wayne argue in court documents filed Monday that Emily Herx's lawsuit is barred by the First Amendment's freedom of religion protection.

The diocese denies that a church pastor ever told Herx she was a "grave, immoral sinner." It also says she wasn't fired but that her contract simply wasn't renewed.

The diocese says any legal review of its doctrine would violate its religious rights.

Herx's attorney, Kathleen Delaney, and a spokesman for the diocese had no immediate comment.