The Volz case divided Germany, with the court ruling in favor of both the clinic and the doctor

The labor court in Hamm has definitively rejected Dr. Joachim Volz's appeal against the ban on performing abortions at the Catholic hospital in Lippstadt. The decision confirmed the right of religious institutions to refuse such procedures, except in cases of acute danger to the life or health of the patient.

However, a turning point came when Volz's secondary activities were assessed: the court ruled that the hospital could not prohibit him from performing abortions outside his position as chief physician, i.e., in outpatient practice or as an external service provider.

Volz considers this a major success and claims that it restores his ability to "help" women outside the hospital.

The case sparked widespread public reaction, including demonstrations and support from Green politicians. At the same time, it reopened the debate on the influence of the church on healthcare and the already limited availability of abortions in Germany.

(katolisch, pmi)