Vatican City, Feb 7, 2011 / 02:06 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Catholic health care workers are facing a worldwide erosion of spiritual and moral standards in their profession, according to the leader of a Vatican-affiliated organization for Catholic nurses.
"In the United States, the biggest problem that Catholic nurses are facing is the ability to use their conscience," said Marylee Meehan, president of the International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medical-Social Assistants, or CICIAMS.
Many young nurses and health assistants are "timid" about breaching the subject, especially in regard to abortions. Veterans fear that if they speak out, or refuse to take part in certain procedures they will be fired.
"It's a problem, when you want to apply for a job and you will not provide abortions, they will not accept you," said Meehan about some U.S. hospitals.
She explained that an applicant to a maternity unit can be screened out with direct questions about their position on the issue. Those with the courage to call themselves pro-life at a job interview could be blocked from serious consideration.
Meehan seeks to provide support for these men and women through their national associations to give them voice and a place to share their stories. It is necessary, she said, because "somebody made abortion legal, but that didn't make it moral."
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