News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

baby-scan-abortion-main_article_image.jpg
REX/Image Broker
UK News

Christian Medical Fellowship "concerned" over conscientious objector guidelines

by Desmond Busteed

Steve Fouch, CMF Head of Nursing thinks the new guidelines set a dangerous precedent, speaking to Premier's 'News Hour', he said: "As soon as you start saying, well you can't exercise your conscience it has no right, it has no place in the workplace you open the door to all sorts of appalling abuses which we have seen in other parts of the world.

4.4 [you must] inform and explain to colleagues, your manager and the person receiving care if you have a conscientious objection to a particular procedure and arrange for a suitably qualified colleague to take over responsibility for that person's care.

Last year the UK's highest court has overturned a ruling made in favour of two Catholic midwives who object to any involvement in abortion procedures.

Judges found in favour of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde which was appealing against a decision of the Court of Session in Edinburgh in 2013 in the case of Mary Doogan and Connie Wood.

The pair had objected to any involvement in the procedure as conscientious objectors but the health board said they should supervise staff involved.

The five justices agreed that conscientious objection is a right only to refuse to take part in activities that directly bring about the termination of a pregnancy.

However, explaining the judgement to the court, Justice Lady Hale urged the hospital to take a sympathetic view, she said: "It is without prejudice to their claim before an employment tribunal that their rights to manifest their religious beliefs and not to be discriminated against because of those religious beliefs may require the hospital to make reasonable adjustments to cater for them."

It had been down to the justices to decide the scope of the abortion act which says: "no person shall be under any duty ... to participate in any treatment authorised by this Act to which he has a conscientious objection".

Both women were employed as labour ward co-ordinators at Southern General Hospital in Glasgow at the time.

Steve Fouch, CMF Head of Nursing:

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate