INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A federal judge has given a Catholic diocese in northern Indiana permission to keep some records under seal during a lawsuit by a former employee who says she was fired because she had in vitro fertilization.
The order filed last week in federal court in Fort Wayne covers personnel records, medical records and financial records.
Emily Herx's attorney didn't oppose the motion by the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. The confidentiality clause covers both sides and applies through the pretrial phase when both sides share the evidence they might present during trial.
The church says a court ruling would violate its religious rights.
A diocese spokesman says the move is routine.
Herx's lawyer says it will become more difficult to seal records as the case progresses because courts are public.
