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Catholic nurses win right to refuse abortion on appeal

Two Roman Catholic midwives have won an appeal which gives them the right to refuse to deal with abortion cases.

Mary Doogan and Concepta Wood initially lost a case against NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

They had claimed their human rights were being violated because they were forced to supervise staff taking part in abortions.

Ms Doogan, from Garrowhill in Glasgow, and Mrs Wood, from Clarkston in East Renfrewshire, were employed as labour ward co-ordinators at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow.

Anthony Ozimic is from the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child. He told Premier's News Hour authorities have consistently ignored legal provisions made for conscientious objectors.

In a statement, the women said: "In holding all life to be sacred from conception to natural death, as midwives we have always worked in the knowledge we have two lives to care for throughout labour; a mother and that of her unborn child.

"Today's judgement is a welcome affirmation of the rights of all midwives to withdraw from a practice that would violate their conscience and which over time, would indeed debar many from entering what has always been a very rewarding and noble profession.

"It is with great relief we can now return to considerations that are all to do with child birth and midwifery practice and less to do with legal matters."

In a statement, NHS GGC said: "We note the outcome of the appeal and will be considering our options with our legal advisers over the next few days."

Meanwhile, two Christians have been outlining why they're continuing their discrimination cases in the European Court.

Relationship Counsellor Gary McFarlane and Nurse Shirley Chaplin claim they faced discrimination in the workplace because of their faith.

Despite exhausting options in the UK they have both now submitted appeals to the European Court's Grand Chamber.

Speaking on Premier's News Hour Gary explained why he isn't giving up the fight:

The case continues.

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