PRETORIA, August 16, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A South African nurse who left her job rather than be forced to assist in abortions began her civil suit in the Johannesburg High Court today.
Sister Wilhelmien Charles, who worked as a nurse in the Kopanong Hospital until May 2004, is suing the hospital as well as the national and regional ministers of health for a violation of her constitutional right to refuse to participate in the abortions on religious grounds.
Sister Charles’ forcible transfer from one department to another, where the abortions were routinely committed, was discriminatory against her belief as a Christian, her suit attests.
Doctors for Life in South Africa, who are supporting Sister Charles, published quotes from healthcare workers in 2002, revealing that the practice of forcing healthcare workers to assist at abortions against their religious convictions was a mounting concern.
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Healthcare Workers Traumatised By Abortion
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2002/jul/02070504.html
South Africa Bill To Force Nurses To Commit Abortions
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/aug/04080410.html
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