A nurse over in Great Britain is finding her job in jeopardy because she offered to pray for someone.
Caroline Petrie is facing disciplinary action because her employer, North Somerset Primary Care Trust, stated that she failed to show “personal and professional commitment to equality and diversity’ when she offered to pray for an elderly woman.
Petrie has stated that she doesn’t proselytize when she’s on the job.
“I simply couldn’t believe that I have been suspended over this,” she told the London Telegraph. “I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong. All I am trying to do is help my patients, many of whom want me to pray for them.”
The woman was reportedly not offended. It had taken her by surprise and she was concerned it would offend others.
However, this was not the only time that Petrie had been disciplined for offering a prayer. She had offered a prayer card to an elderly male patient two months previous who had accepted it gladly. However, the caretaker of the man was not in support of the move.
“My concern is for the person as a whole, not just their health,” she said. “I was told not to force my faith on anyone but I could respond if patients themselves brought up the subject [of religion].”
Petrie has contacted the Christian Legal Centre for representation, an organization that seeks to promote religious freedom.
“Caroline Petrie has been suspended pending an investigation into the matter,” a spokesman for North Somerset Primary Care Trust told the Guardian. “She is a bank nurse and she has been told we will not be using her in this capacity until the outcome of our investigation is known”
“We always take any concerns raised by our patients most seriously and conscientiously investigate any matter of this nature brought to our attention, the spokesman continued. “We are always keen to be respectful of our patients’ views and sensitivity as well as those of our staff.”
If you want to express your concern over this, you can contact North Somerset Primary Care trust by emailing them at pals@nsomerset-pct.nhs.uk. Or keep up on the story at the Christian Legal Centre website.
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