All cases

Filtered by: Freedom of Conscience

Pharmacists' Objection of Conscience Still Curtailed

February 29, 2012, Czech Republic

An improvement of the national health service law in February 2012 did not fully grant conscientious objection to pharmacists: The law still compels the objecting pharmacists to find a willing employee of the same pharmacy or another pharmacist to sell the "morning-after-pill".

Spanish Bioethicist Calls for Black-List of Conscientious Objectors

February 13, 2012, Spain

Maria Casado, who holds the UNESCO Chair of Bioethics at the University of Barcelona calls for a national registry of doctors who will not perform abortions, in order to “improve” women’s access to “pregnancy termination.”

Roman Catholic Firemen Disciplined for Refusal to Attend Rally Which Mocked their Faith

January 21, 2012, United Kingdom

A group of nine firemen from Glasgow, including several Roman Catholics, were disciplined by their employers for refusing to march in a ‘gay pride’ rally. Strathclyde Fire Board apologized after legal steps were taken.

Mayor Who Criticised Halloween Punished

January 11, 2012, United Kingdom

A church-going former mayor in Warwickshire who declined to take part in a Halloween event has been found in breach of equality rules for upsetting pagans.

No Conscientious Objection for Pharmacists Selling Abortion Pill

January 10, 2012, France

French pharmacists are required by law to sell the „morning after pill“ which causes an early abortion. The absence of conscientious objection is a violation of freedom of religion and conscience.

"Occupy Rome" Activists Destroyed Sacred Icons During Demonstration

October 15, 2011, Italy

A group of youth who were marching as part of the anti-capitalist movement "Occupy Rome", detoured from the main stream of the parade, and made their way into Saints Marcellino and Pietro Parish, located between Labicana and Merulana streets. The youth, with their heads covered and handing sticks, broke into the parish house and took the statue of the Immaculate Conception and a crucifix. They carried the sacred icons outside the parish premises to the street, where both were destroyed and the debriefs left on the street.

Ongoing Outside Pressure on Ireland to Legalize Abortion

October 11, 2011, International

At a UN meeting, delegates from Britain, Denmark, Spain and other countries called for Ireland to legalize abortion - with Denmark calling for legislation to allow for abortion on demand, constituting pressure seeking to undermine the Christian convictions of the majority of the Irish population.

Doctors Should Refer Patients for Euthanasia: New Dutch Guidelines

September 8, 2011, Netherlands

According to new guidelines from the Dutch national doctors association, doctors with moral objections to euthanasia have “a moral and professional duty” to refer patients to another doctor willing to euthanize them.

US Officials Call Catholic Church Source of Spreading “Homophobia” in Poland

September 6, 2011, International

American embassy officials under the Obama administration complained that the Catholic Church teaching is a major source of “homophobia” in the heavily Catholic country, according to private cables published by Wikileaks.

Hospital Attempted to Force Christian Nurses to Commit Abortions and Backs Down

August 15, 2011, United Kingdom

A hospital in London that recently attempted to force two Christian nurses to commit abortions has backed down after legal threats using the Equality Act to protect the nurses pro-life beliefs.

New Guidelines from the General Pharmaceutical Council Threaten Freedom of Conscience

August 15, 2011, United Kingdom

New guidelines issued by the UK pharmaceutical regulatory board tends towards stripping pharmacists of their right to conscientious objection with regard to refusing the sale of the morning-after pill, an abortive device.

Catholic Care Forced to Close or Allow Gay Adoption after Tribunal Decision

August 9, 2011, United Kingdom

On May 31st, 2011, Catholic Care of the Diocese of Leeds has applied for leave to appeal the latest decision against it in the long-running case sparked by the Charity Commission’s refusal to allow it to prevent gay couples from using its adoption service. The appeal was granted in August 2011.

Christian-Inspired Polish Abortion Law Targeted by International Institutions

June 3, 2011, International

Poland's life-protecting abortion law, which is inspired by its strong Christian identity, is under attack by international and supranational bodies. This disrespect of national sovereignty targets Christian aspects and is therefore a case of intolerance against Christians in the area of morals.

Conscientious Objection in Peril for Amsterdam Marriage Commissioners

June 2, 2011, Netherlands

Marriage commissioners in a district of Amsterdam will be forced to undergo annual evaluations to ensure they support same-sex “marriage” after revelations that two commissioners had refused to officiate at the ceremonies. Since 2007, the government in Amsterdam’s Nieuw-West district has only employed commissioners who agree to perform same-sex “marriages,” and officials apparently believed the district was free of “conscientious objectors.”

Christian Counsellor Suspended For Reparative Therapy Suggestion

May 31, 2011, United Kingdom

(ongoing) Lesley Pilkington was suspended by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (“BACP”) for giving therapy to a homosexual man (an under-cover freelance journalist) who pretended to be a Christian wishing to stop practicing homosexuality. A key witness has been threatened by homosexual activists, causing hearing to be adjourned.

Parliament Votes to Campaign to Force Health Professionals to Perform Abortions in the Council of Europe Member States

May 11, 2011, Sweden

The Swedish Parliament voted to campaign against a European resolution, which reiterates the right to conscientious objection for health professionals who do not want to perform abortions.

Medical Doctor Denied the Right to Conscientious Objection by Court

April 19, 2011, Spain

A Spanish general practitioner from Antequera who opposes abortion was denied the right to claim conscientious objection in cases of abortion. The MD argues that his beliefs conflict with abortion advice or referral to women seeking pregnancy termination.

German Mother Jailed for Refusing Government Sex-Ed

March 31, 2011, Germany

Irene Wiens, mother of twelve, served a 43-day jail sentence in Germany for refusing to enroll her children in sex-ed classes, deemed by her husband and herself to teach a permissive view of human sexuality. An appeal to the European Court of Human Rights has been filed.

Pharmacy Does Not Sell “Morning-After-Pill” - Windows Shattered

March 8, 2011, Germany

The windows of a pharmacy in Berlin’s Neukölln district were shattered because the owner does not sell the so called “morning-after-pill” due to his catholic convictions.

Government Requires Foster Parents to Affirm Homosexuality Rules UK High Court

February 28, 2011, United Kingdom

Experienced foster parents lose rights to foster due to religious beliefs on homosexuality. Appeal to High Court lost.