However, when she found out Griffith’s Catholic Church was handing out leaflets describing IVF as a “sin against human life” under the heading “you shall not kill”, her blood boiled. The “examination of conscience” document was handed out to adults seeking ‘reconciliation’ with the church.

The Catholic religion teaches IVF is wrong because unused embryos are destroyed, according to Griffith priest Andrew Grace. He told The Area News he was simply upholding the teachings of the church “out of love and for the sanctity of life”.

Having been raised in the church, Mr and Mrs Brugger struggled with “ethical and moral issues” for nine months before deciding to go ahead with IVF.

“People don't talk about IVF because of the stigma and they're afraid of what people think,” Mrs Brugger said. “My son isn't born from sin, how could wanting to create a life be so wrong, how can love be a sin?”

Having been raised in the church, Mrs Brugger wondered why there was such a divide between the God she learned about in school and the one being presented in the leaflet.

“The God I was raised to believe in is not one who would call a child a sinner, nor would He condemn parents for going to whatever lengths they needed to in order to create their children,” Mrs Brugger said.

“My faith has been tested many, many times and I don't know if I can believe in the God they speak of. 

“I absolutely cannot believe in a church which would look at my family and condemn us for an act of pure love.”

Father Grace broke his silence on the issue on Friday, saying he was “heartbroken” the document caused offence, but Mrs Brugger said she hadn’t personally heard from the parish priest.

“We did not ask to have fertility issues, that choice was taken from us through Chris' ongoing cancer treatments,” she said.

“I would like to ask him if he should take ill, if some act of God rendered him in need of medical treatment, would he accept that treatment? 

“You cannot stand by and condemn me for IVF when I am almost certain you would use treatments to get well and prolong your life or the life of a loved one.”