California judge rules Catholic hospital is not required to perform sterilization
January 15, 2016
A California judge has ruled that a Catholic hospital is not required to sterilize a woman who does not wish to have any more children.
Rebecca Chamorro had sought a court order requiring the staff at Mercy Medical Center in Redding, California, to arrange a tubal ligation after she delivered her third child. The hospital had refused to schedule the procedure, citing the US bishops' Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.
Superior Court Judge Ernest Goldsmith ruled that Mercy Medical Center was acting in accordance with the principles of its founders, and "the religious beliefs reflected in their operation are not to be interfered wtih by courts at this moment in history."
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Further information:
- Judge: Catholic hospital doesn’t have to do tubal ligation (AP)
- Catholic hospitals and the fight for medical standards (On the News, 1/14)
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Jan. 16, 2016 10:56 AM ET USA
"...at this moment in history." Are we beginning to feel a bit marginalized yet?
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Posted by: aclune9083 -
Jan. 15, 2016 8:10 PM ET USA
God is good; thank Him that a judge in California--of all places--understands the true meaning of religious freedom. Stand by for the inevitable assault to overturn this judge's decision; some advocate for the dark side will being this into federal court as a human rights issue (the mother's, of course). Once in the 9th district, no chance. Then, on to the Supreme Court--oh, wait, we know where that's going. Pray, pray, pray....
