Chief physician against the church: Doctor complains against abortion ban to Catholic clinic

The Hamm Labor Court negotiates on Friday about the lawsuit of a chief doctor against a ban on abortion of his Catholic hospital wearer. The gynecologist had been medically indicated at the Lippstadt Evangelical Hospital for many years. After a clinic merger, this was now prohibited from the new Catholic carrier after a clinic merger – also for serious malformations of the fetus. The ban also applies to the work of the gynecologist in his Bielefeld private practice.

In the sensational case, a decision by the court is expected on the same day. Shortly before the start of negotiations in the morning, a demonstration entitled “Stopping the Catholic abortion ban” is planned, in which plaintiff Joachim Volz will also take part. The police expect “a thousand plus” as a number of participants. A demo train is said to pass at the Lippstadt Clinic – Christian Hospital to the vicinity of the court.

Plaintiff Volz: “I am a doctor, no murderer”

In a call for demo participation, Volz writes: “From the perspective of the Catholic wearer, every termination of a pregnancy is murder. So my team and I would be” murderer “”. The organizer of the demo is Sarah Gonschorek (Greens), and politicians from the federal and state governments are also expected.

A petition that the doctor on July 1 under the title “I am a doctor – my help is not a sin!” Started, has so far been signed by around 230,000 people. In it, Volz calls for an “end of criminalization of abortions and an end to church influence on medical care”.

Clinic indicates consequences in the event of violations of instructions

According to the instructions of the merged clinic, “it is not permitted to carry out abortions in this facility”. A demolition is only allowed if “body and life of the pregnant women are in danger”. According to the employer, Volz must ensure that the instruction is known and implemented to all employees. Violations of the instruction that has been in effect since February 2025 could mean “consequences until the termination of the employment relationship”.

The Bonn labor lawyer Gregor Thüsing told the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger” that the Catholic clinic now has a legitimate interest in the fact that her senior employee does nothing in his service, which is as diametrically opposed to the Catholic understanding of human life as an abortion “. The new employer is also not bound to what was previously considered. On the DPA request, plaintiff Volz (67) had recently announced that he was ready to go through further judicial authorities if necessary.

Paragraph 218 in the Criminal Code

According to the law, a termination of pregnancy is fundamentally illegal, but not punishable within the first twelve weeks and after advice. A demolition is legal if it is medically indicated – for example in the case of serious malformations of the fetus – as well as rape and dangers to life, physical or mental health of the pregnant woman.