Polish doctor fired for declining to perform abortion
July 11, 2014
A Catholic doctor in a Polish public hospital has been dismissed for his refusal to perform an abortion or refer the pregnant woman to an abortionist.
Dr. Bogdan Chazan offered free medical care to the mother of a child who was diagnosed with serious abnormalities, but did not recommend an abortion. Warsaw’s Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz charged that the doctor should have referred the woman to a doctor who would perform an abortion. “A doctor can refuse to carry out an abortion on moral grounds, but a public hospital cannot,” a spokesman said.
Cardinal Kazimierz Ncyz of Poland said that the action against Dr. Chazan sets a dangerous precedent. “Politicians cannot make doctors act against their conscience,” he said. Dr. Chazan is one of 3,000 doctors who have signed a "Declaration of Faith," saying that they will refuse to perform immoral procedures such as abortion, euthanasia, and sterilization. The signatories have declared that moral law takes precedence over state laws.
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Further information:
- Pro-Life Doctor Faces Persecution After Refusing to Do Abortion on Disabled Baby (LifeNews)
- Poland hospital chief fired for refusing abortion on religious grounds (Sydney Morning Herald)
- Polish doctor dismissed in 'abortion refusal' case (BBC)
- Polish premier says doctors must perform abortions, even against conscience (CWN, 6/11)
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Posted by: Babolin -
Jul. 12, 2014 5:32 AM ET USA
Hopefully, the Pro-Life doctor will carefully write a complaint to be sent as soon as possible to the Strasbourg International Court of Human Rights. And make such an action public in the appropriate medias. Little chance of success in my opinion but wait & see. In Italy it is increasingly difficult to find doctors officially prepared to perform abortions.
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Posted by: lak321 -
Jul. 11, 2014 9:30 PM ET USA
He will hear, well done, good and faithful servant.
