Court Rules Commission Failed to Meet Obligations Under Article 85 (1) of the Treaty.
In a significant legal dispute, Chief Physician Joachim Volz, a gynecologist and longtime head doctor, is suing Klinikum Lippstadt - Christliches Krankenhaus, a Catholic-owned hospital, over a ban on performing abortions. The ban was imposed following a merger with the Evangelical Hospital Lippstadt (EVK) [1][2].
Dr. Volz, who opposes the ban, is seeking the right to provide abortion services at the hospital despite its Catholic affiliation. His stance has garnered support from over 150,000 people who have signed an online petition [3]. Labor lawyer Till Müller-Heidelberg, representing Dr. Volz, argues that enforcing Catholic moral and ethical principles through labor law contradicts European case law and German law [4].
The case is scheduled for a decision from the Labor Court in Hamm on August 8, following an unsuccessful settlement hearing [5]. If the ban is enforced, violations of the service instruction could lead to employment law consequences, including termination of the employment relationship [6].
The hospital's service instructions state that abortions are not permitted, and it is obligated to consider Catholic interests regarding the performance of abortions [7]. However, around 15 abortions for medical reasons occur annually at the clinic [8].
Dr. Volz has received numerous messages encouraging him to continue fighting and is prepared to go through further judicial instances if necessary [9]. He formally addressed the petition to Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and the three ministers for health, family, and justice, stating that "church and medicine do not mix" [10].
The regional medical association Westphalia-Lippe supports Dr. Volz and his stance against the ban [11]. A demonstration is planned for the day of the hearing, with a march from the clinic to the court [12]. The ban applies to Volz's work at the EVK and his private practice in Bielefeld [13].
The petition, titled "Against the Catholic Abortion Ban," was launched on July 1 under the heading "I am a doctor and my help is not a sin" [14]. Dr. Volz believes that resignation is not an option and considers his work as a doctor a "duty of humanity" [15].
References: 1. Archdiocese of Paderborn criticizes Dr. Volz for publicly questioning the clinic's ethical orientation 2. Gynecologist sues against a ban on abortions imposed by the Catholic owner of the hospital following a clinic merger 3. Over 150,000 people have signed an online petition by the physician 4. Labor lawyer Till Müller-Heidelberg, who represents Dr. Volz, states that enforcing Catholic moral and ethical principles through labor law contradicts European case law and German law 5. The case is scheduled for a decision from the Labor Court in Hamm on August 8 6. Violations of the service instruction can result in employment law consequences, including termination of the employment relationship 7. Abortions are not permitted in the facility, according to service instructions given to Dr. Joachim Volz 8. Around 15 abortions for medical reasons occur annually at the clinic 9. Dr. Volz has received numerous messages encouraging him to continue fighting and is prepared to go through further judicial instances if necessary 10. The gynecologist formally addressed the petition to Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and the three ministers for health, family, and justice, stating that "church and medicine do not mix" 11. The regional medical association Westphalia-Lippe supports Dr. Volz and his stance against the ban 12. A demonstration is planned for the day of the hearing, with a march from the clinic to the court 13. The ban applies to Volz's work at the EVK and his private practice in Bielefeld 14. The petition, titled "Against the Catholic Abortion Ban," was launched on July 1 under the heading "I am a doctor and my help is not a sin" 15. The gynecologist believes that resignation is not an option and considers his work as a doctor a "duty of humanity"
- In the legal dispute, Dr. Joachim Volz, a gynecologist, is advocating for his right to provide abortion services at Klinikum Lippstadt - Christliches Krankenhaus, despite the Catholic affiliation, due to a ban imposed after a merger with EVK.
- The case, scheduled for a decision on August 8, is supported by over 150,000 people who have signed an online petition, advocating for Dr. Volz's stance and titled "Against the Catholic Abortion Ban".
- Labor lawyer Till Müller-Heidelberg, who represents Dr. Volz, argues that enforcing Catholic moral and ethical principles through labor law contradicts European case law and German law.
- Dr. Volz's stance extends beyond his professional life at the hospital; he has spoken out against the ban in his private practice in Bielefeld, and considers his work as a doctor a "duty of humanity".
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