Nurse forced to participate in abortion speaks out

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New York City, N.Y., Jul 28, 2009 / 05:12 am (CNA).- "It felt like a horror film unfolding," said Catherina Cenzon-DeCarlo, the Brooklyn nurse who says she was forced to aid an abortion against her will. Now Cenzon-DeCarlo is speaking out, describing the terror she felt as she was asked to sacrifice her religious convictions for the sake of her job.

Catherina Cenzon-DeCarlo, a devout Catholic, says she has been having nightmares and difficulty sleeping ever since the incident took place on May 24, reports the New York Post.

"I couldn't believe that this could happen," Cenzon-DeCarlo told the Post, describing how she was threatened with charges of insubordination and patient abandonment, which could result in possible loss of a job and nursing license, if she did not participate in the abortion.

Although she was told that it was an emergency and the woman would die if she did not assist, Cenzon-DeCarlo observed that the woman had not received the treatments typically given to a patient whose life is in danger as the hospital claimed it was.

She later found out that the hospital itself had declared the case a "Category II," meaning that it was not immediately life-threatening, and that there was a six-hour window for the operation to take place, allowing ample time for the hospital to find a replacement nurse who did not have moral objections to the procedure.

"I felt violated and betrayed," Cenzon-DeCarlo said.

The nurse had clearly stated that she was unwilling to aid in abortions during a job interview with Mount Sinai. She says she had put her beliefs in writing.

Cenzon-DeCarlo went on to explain that she was later told by two supervisors that she would need to sign a statement agreeing to participate in abortions if she wanted any more overtime shifts. Over the next month, she was designated only one overtime shift, instead of the eight or nine she was usually assigned, reported the New York Post.

Now, the Alliance Defense Fund is representing Cenzon-DeCarlo in a lawsuit that seeks to force Mount Sinai to surrender their federal funding because it has violated a federal rule protecting employees who morally object to controversial procedures.

The lawsuit also seeks damages on behalf of Cenzon-DeCarlo, as well as a restoration of her overtime shifts and a respect for her objections to abortion.

Now, the married mother of a year-old baby hopes the litigation will be enough to restore protection to her religious convictions. "I emigrated to this country in the belief that here religious freedom is sacred," she said. "Doctors and nurses shouldn't be forced to abandon their beliefs and participate in abortion in order to keep their jobs."

Comments: 29

Subscriber comments:

Published by: psalm
Detroit, MI 08/13/2009 07:38 PM EST

Kay Paiva,

You may want to pay closer attention to the attacks the church faces on a daily basis from within and oustide the church. The list of attacks is quite lengthy and very easy to see if you are willing to see them. They go beyond simple prejudice.
Also, very importantly,Christians are being murdered all over the world for their beliefs.

Published by: Susanne Alton
San Diego, CA 08/10/2009 02:35 AM EST

"Judas sold Christ out for thirty pieces of silver. It seems as if Ms. Cenzon-DeCarlo sold out for over time shifts!" And sooner than we all think, we will all have to decide if we will sellout to the NEW Health "care" system. What side will YOU be on? Will you be willing to defend the unborn--healthcare or no healthcare? Get yourself informed on this BILL. Your spiritual "life" depends on it!

Published by: kitty
chicago, illinois 08/01/2009 02:09 PM EST

we support u catherina! i hope that this director of nursing be fired! she is a dictator , no regard to nurses' feelings and rights, she is an embarrassment to this prestigious hospital. the hospital should investigate her record, am sure there's a LOT of complains and write ups about her from nurses and techs.

Published by: BLT
MPLS/MN/USA 08/01/2009 06:18 AM EST

I firmly DISAGREE w/STACEY(RN)from IL ~ it is definitely a case of right & wrong!

Abortion IS WRONG!

This is a great lesson to teach my children ~ to be morally sound so when situations arise ~ we can stand up for what is right by GOD's laws, not by man's laws. Continue to teach our children!

Good for this NY nurse to come forward ~ I pray for her, the doctors, the lost life of this baby, and the mother of this aborted baby. As Mother Teresa stated, "God hears the cry of aborted babies."

Our country was founded on GOD and HIS principles ~ God continue to bless America ~ keep praying we do God's will, not our own agenda.

Abortion is WRONG!!!!

Published by: frances marie
New York, NY 07/30/2009 09:12 PM EST

This story tells me that we all need to pray that in such circumstances we will have the strength to uphold God's commandment. As for the outcome of this case conscience should be protected, but, in today's world, not so sure.

Published by: Kay Paiva
US 07/29/2009 03:49 PM EST

I am more on the left politically and am a Christian. I was in agreement with this article, until I saw the ignorant comments turning the blame to the wrong people.

Whether abortion is legal or not is not the issue here... it's the general respect and safety of everyone's individual beliefs. To put someone in a compromising situation is similar to a threat or emotional rape. And the hospital's lie of which category is absolutely unacceptable.

However, stating that "Christians get no respect in this country anymore," is completely ignorant. I have grown up Christian and that is not the case whatsoever. The Christian religion remains the majority (by far) and the leader of the political world. Though all of their beliefs may not be enforced by the government, that does not mean there is no respect. Look at Islam, Hindu, Wiccan, Greek Orthodox, Pagan, and Jewish practicers... those are some of the religions that don't receive respect. Even listing these here is rather "risky" simply because of the mockery they may face on this type of forum.

To go on to say that Christians are treated like second-class citizens, is once again, just insolent. I understand that Christians may face bias and prejudice, but to no extent near that of people with different races, genders, and sexual orientations - who still face those same issues against RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.

For reasons such as this pompous, self-centered comment, Christians will become a center of ridicule. So stop.

Published by: katherine w.
newton,kansas,United States 07/29/2009 11:38 AM EST

Here's the problem: A U.S. Senate committee just passed a dangerously deceptive, conscience-threatening amendment to a healthcare reform bill. This is what they did:

First, the Senate HELP committee voted down good amendments that would have truly protected physicians and nurses from being forced to participate in abortions.

Then the committee passed Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy's deceptive amendment #205. This amendment pretends to protect conscience rights but would actually force healthcare professionals to participate in abortions.

What you can do to stop this threat:

Contact your senators' offices. Tell them you are a constituent and (if applicable) a medical professional.

1.Say that you OPPOSE Kennedy conscience amendment #205 to the healthcare bill, recently passed by the Senate HELP Committee.

2.Tell them to KEEP real protections for faith-based and pro-life healthcare professionals--such as the Hyde-Weldon Amendment and the Health and Human Services conscience regulation.

Published by: David Silbernagel
Scio Oregon 07/29/2009 09:42 AM EST

Everyone forgets that she was told that this was an emergency and the women s life was in danger and she did not realize that this was not the case until sometime later during the procedure or after it. Once the procedure was started she really had no choice but to continue or possible risk women's life. Cut her some slack. She handled it satisfactory for how it actually went down.

Published by: catherine KENNEDY
melbourne AUSTRALIA 07/29/2009 03:57 AM EST

Well done to the Nurse Catharina here for coming Foward and exposing the pressures that are exerted on pro life medical personnel! That takes courage
see this debacle here that resulted in the death of an innocent baby, just serves to prove that the prochoice side only EVER care about one thing their narrow self serving agenda the pro choicers dont see fit to give anyone else a choice as the case with the nurse here!
see this sad saga shows the utter contemptible farce pro choice is and the fact that choice re a an innocents life rests merely in the hands of one person the mother to be is LUDICROUS and so unfair to many who would so love the baby
SO what choice do others get ?
The loss of a child is a HUGE detriment for all in society because people way beyond the mother will be affected as they would most likey have been involved in the childs future.
eg what choice do say any future grandparents of the child to be get?
what choice do any say siblings get
what choice do any future school peers, swimming clubs get
a womans choice is such an out of date superseded notion and should be abolished
choice should not rest in the hand of one person alone it takes two people to make a baby
choice should be rescinded, ie wiped out unless it is the SOUND choice to let the baby live as the child to be belongs to society
We all have a responsibility to care for the unborn, not just the mother to be, because the unborn are our future generation!
simple as that!

Published by: Anita
Florida,USA 07/28/2009 09:01 PM EST

I think this is horrendous. What happened to freedom in this country? I am in total agreement with the nurse and am glad that she spoke out. Christians get no respect in this country anymore, iy's like we are second class citizens.I hope and pray she wins her case. She deserves to.

Published by: Black
Ireland 07/28/2009 03:26 PM EST

Every day every hour every situation the American Consituation is being trampled into the dirt by those that are in a postion to up hold the highest ideals of the American Way - Sadly, and I hope common sense sees through - BUT America is fast becoming a Nation Divided and another Civil War is going to erupt - The last freed the slaves - This one will free ALL Americans from tyranny that is being enacted by Freemasons and their secret allies that are determined to have a One World Government - Remember if America falls all the World will also fall - God I implore Save America

Published by: DBMillard
Charlotte, NC USA 07/28/2009 01:26 PM EST

Fr John A Harden has stated: "Unless we recover the zeal and spirit of the first century Christians--unless we are willing to do what they did and to pay price that they paid--the future of our country, the days of America are numbered!" DBM

Published by: CAA
Morris County NJ 07/28/2009 01:19 PM EST

I agree that the nurse should have walked off the job, but I also feel that not one of us has the right to judge her as some are. When backed into a corner does anyone really know FOR SURE how you will respond. At least she has the courage fight now and can believe in Christ's unfailing mercy for a bad decision.

Published by: HTV
Conroe, TX 07/28/2009 12:21 PM EST

The hospital offered Cenzon-DeCarlo an ultimatum, which in her case is a mini-martyrdom. Her options were to participate in the murder of an unborn child and she could keep her nursing job, or not to participate and lose her job. I have heard no evidence of the hospital forcing her to do anything. The choice was hers and she chose a job over the right thing to do. No martyrdom for Cenzon-DeCarlo, the baby on the other hand...

Published by: Stacey
Savoy, IL 07/28/2009 12:20 PM EST

As an RN who has filed a moral objection to a procedure (circumcision), I am so confused by this. There should have been no problem with one RN switching assignments with another. It happens all the time. Sometimes, a pt. doesn't like her RN, or the RN is having issues with the pt. that another RN is better equipped to deal with (maybe a demise and the RN recently had her own loss, for example). This is rediculous to have gotten to this point. This whole thing isn't really about whether abortion is right or wrong. To take that route, the case is doomed. However, Catherine's right were grossly violated in a situation that had several other, much more palatable resolutions (if abortion can ever be considered palatable). Adult American rights seem to still be the most important thing in this country, so that should be the grounds on which this is fought and which she clearly has a winning case. To her benefit,hospitals don't like to go to court, so they will likely settle in Christine's favor and, I'd expect, readdress policy and how it's carried out.

Published by: Ken
Grand Rapids, MI 07/28/2009 12:19 PM EST

Seems a lot of people here are willing to "cast the first stone" at Ms. Cenzon-DeCarlo. Stop the "holier than thous" and pray for her and others in her situation as well as for an end to abortion.

Published by: James Urda
Barton, N.Y. 07/28/2009 11:42 AM EST

If she does not win in court and a strong Conscience Clause is not kept in HealthCare, I plan on blantantly with-holding $1 from my Federal tax payment. Copies of my tax form will be sent to my congress members.

Published by: Maureen
NY 07/28/2009 11:31 AM EST

We need a 'ROSA PARKS' MOMENT. Someone needs to go to court and witness to the fact that abortion is ultimately murder.
It is simply UNCONSTITUTIONAL for our government to demand someone go against the tenets of their faith.
Granted, I'm not a lawyer but is this a difficult case to win???

Published by: Margaret
Florida 07/28/2009 11:25 AM EST

If Congress will pass the current Healthcare System Reform Package, the scenario in this article will be the norm for all healthcare workers, including doctors.
Do you think for a moment that this Healthcare Refom Package, does not include benefits for abortion and euthanasia? Think again! It was pulled of off the shelves and dusted off from 15yrs ago, Clinton Healthcare.
Dejavu, no doubt, Clinton, Polosi, Prez Obama are in the "same bed" for abortions and euthanasia.
The Healthcare Reform Package will take care of both, "Freedom of Choice Act" and nullify the "Conscientious Protection Clause" in one sweep. (the devil is in the details)
Think about it! America's society better stop this insidious and insane "Bill" in Congress.

Published by: buzzy gran
Van Buren, AR, United States 07/28/2009 11:15 AM EST

Rate: Regular

Judas sold Christ out for thirty pieces of silver. It seems as if Ms. Cenzon-DeCarlo sold out for over time shifts!

Published by: Deedee
Oregon 07/28/2009 11:01 AM EST

I really feel for this lady and very saddened that this has to happen to anyone. I hope her rights are protected for everyones sake.

Published by: Jack
Columbus, OH USA 07/28/2009 10:46 AM EST

This isn't meant as a judgment on the poor woman who was put in this position: But for goodness sakes, where is our trust in God? She could have refused to participate and trusted that God would take care of her and her family--although someone could TRY to coerce another to do somethign evil, one can always say "NO!" And trust that the good God will provide, which He will. She did not HAVE to be involved. It's about time we stop distrusting God and acting like cowards--eventually, we either have to stand up for what is right and be martyrs, or just stop being Christians.

Published by: Helene Pineau
Chapleau ON Canada 07/28/2009 08:24 AM EST

This is nothing more than fascism on the part of the hospital administration. I pray Ms Cenzon-Decarlo can win her case, not only for her sake but for all health-care workers whose freedom of conscience is violated in this way. If not, this is only a foretaste of what lies ahead for all right-to-life health workers once the Obama Health plan is made into law. Frightening.

Published by: Catherine Slovak
Newmarket ON 07/28/2009 08:20 AM EST

What a sad story. What is the point of putting one's objections in writing, only to be later threatened with loss of hours and one's job, to say nothing of the horror of assisting in something which one finds utterly abominable.

Published by: Tim
columbia, md, usa 07/28/2009 08:14 AM EST

You wonder what the story behind the story here is. Her supervisor trying to force her to quit, or just some kind of foolish payback, either way it seems like a detestable head nurse that is going to be spending a lot of time in court justifying herself. In the end her supervisor or whoever told her to do this will be hung out to dry because the hospital isn't going to take the wrap. Of course the hospital isn't innocent here since they perform abortions and placed this deranged supervisor in her position. Patience Ms. Cenzon-Decarlo make them pay for what they have done so they won't do this to anyone else and to warn other hospitals. Sorry you had to go through this but perhaps there is a reason you had to suffer, I pray there is some good that will come from this.

Published by: RIGMD
Canada 07/28/2009 08:12 AM EST

I applaud this nurse.I hope that a lot in the medical field will follow. People are too foolish in coniving with satan, which will lead them to hell.Stand for what is right,stand for GOD ALMIGHTY!

Published by: Carol Stysiack
Lindenhurst, NY/USA 07/28/2009 08:10 AM EST

That is horrible that this poor nurse was forced to assist at a murder/abortion by the hospital in order to keep her job and license. The hospital should have no federal funding. Sadly, I think if it were I, I would like to think that I would have walked off the job sick. She was givien the wrong information on the welafare of the woman and the hospital should be sued for that as well.

Published by: rosalina wee
Taipei, Taiwan 07/28/2009 08:02 AM EST

I agree with Cenzon-DeCarlo no one can be forced to participate nor do abortion against her religious belief. More courage to this kind of people.

Published by: DMW
Racine, WI USA 07/28/2009 07:50 AM EST

This nurse's actions were morally wrong! By her actions she showed MORE concern over her job/career then obeying God's commands of "Thou Shalt not Kill (by abortion!). What she Should have done was to tell her supervisor that UNLESS THEY, the hospital administration gets a substitute, even if that means by hiring a staffing a nurse via a Temp work agency, she will SUE both her administrator AND the hospital for violating her religious beliefs which were told to her supervisor/HR ahead of time!

She was NOT coerced into participating in that abortion. The proof of subordination does NOT supersede any religious beliefs or conscience clause, rather the proof in court goes back to the supervisor/administration in KNOWING that this nurse was against abortion, and forced her to participate in an abortion when THEY could have hired a Temp work nurse!

I think a good "savvy" lawyer knowledgeable in the "Bill of Rights" will take this hospital down, as it should be! BUT this nurse should have NEVER been coerced into a moral decision that as of NOW, I would NEVER have done since I would have NO rational argument when I will be facing Jesus at the time of my death! She should have QUIT, WALKED AWAY and THEN got a good lawyer. The proof of "last minute fill in's" and "insubordination" is on the hospital and not on a nurse who has told them WAY AHEAD OF TIME, that this went against her moral beliefs!

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