Two Roman Catholic nurses have won the right not to work in an abortion clinic after they accused the NHS of breaching equality laws. The case is believed to be the first in which the Equality Act has been used successfully to defend a ‘pro-life’ position as a philosophical belief and could have implications for other Christian medical staff. The nurses were moved from their normal nursing duties at a London hospital to work once a week at an abortion clinic. When the nurses discovered that they were participating in abortions they objected but were told by managers that they must continue with the work. One hospital manager allegedly told the pair: ‘What would happen if we allowed all the Christian nurses to refuse?’ The case marks a rare example of equality laws being used to protect the rights of Christians. Previously judges have been criticised for interpreting equality and human rights legislation in ways that allegedly ‘marginalise’ religious beliefs.
Pray: that this is a turning point and that the Equality act will, in future, protect the rights of Christians. (Dt.12:28)