Bishop strips Ariz. hospital of 'Catholic' description after abortion

[PeaceNikki]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/dec/21/the-bishop-of-phoenix-stripped-a-roman-catholic-ho/

The bishop of Phoenix stripped a Roman Catholic hospital Tuesday of its ability to describe itself as "Catholic" after ruling that the hospital had performed abortions and been involved with other procedures contrary to church teaching.

At a news conference, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted cited in particular a case that prompted a public spat with the administrators of St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in which a pregnant woman with a history of abnormal blood pressure was admitted to the hospital in November 2009 and her pregnancy was terminated.

The hospital defended itself in recent months and again Tuesday by saying doctors had determined the woman's death to be certain if no abortion was provided. Thus, they argued, the procedure was licit because it was intended to save the mother's life.

Bishop Olmsted brushed aside that claim Tuesday, noting that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued Ethical and Religious Directives (ERDs) for hospitals declaring that even in dangerous pregnancies, both the mother and child are human beings who should not be killed, even for the sake of saving the other.


More at link.

The church would have preferred the mother die as a result of pregnancy. They excommunicated the nun who approved the abortion.

[Monique1]

1. I did a post earlier on this -

I'm ticked off - disagree with what the Catholic church did - this is so sad.

[musette_sf]

2. Yes, Olmstead would have preferred the death of the wife and mother of 4.

Haven't you heard? Women are livestock, and if they're not fit for breeding, then good riddance. Just get a new, younger, stronger heifer.

The sickest part of this whole travesty, even more so than Olmstead's deathwish for women, is that his entire ultimatum of "demands" to the hospital is a Cartman-wo­rthy rant to RESPECT HIS AUTHORITEH­!

"...disreg­ards *my authority*­"
"...you have not acknowledg­ed *my authority*­"
"...it is ultimately the *authority­* of the bishop as teacher and pastor that is determinat­ive"
"...in keeping with my moral *authority­* as Bishop of Phoenix"

"If actions speak louder than words, your actions communicat­e to me that you do not *respect my authority* to authentica­lly teach and interpret the moral law in this diocese."

"...you have discounted *my legitimate authority*­"

"As the chief shepherd of the Diocese of Phoenix, I sincerely hope you will *respect my authority* to be vigilant over all entities wishing to represent themselves as Catholic organizati­ons."

The word "tragic" appears ONCE - not with regard to the tragic near-death of the woman, or to her tragic loss of the fetus that she had hoped to birth - but only with regard to the *abortion*­. Not a word at all about the woman, or her fetus.

However, the word "authority­" appears NINE TIMES.

Olmstead's on the fast track for the little red beanie and 5-star accommodat­ions for life. Pope Ratzo approves.

[PeaceNikki]

3. Well said.

Sad, tragic, horrible and disgusting, but well said.

[shimmergal]

4. Not sure he has the right to pull this either.

I suppose it depends on how the hospital's charter is worded, but actually "catholic" does not necessarily refer to the church Bishop Olmsted represents.

In both the Methodist and the Episcopal churches that I've attended, we pray for "the holy catholic church." That's catholic as in universal, or all-inclusive, NOT a special prayer for the Roman Catholic church.

Needless to say, he's not the only bishop with authority in the area, either.

'Course after this near-tragedy, who could blame the hospital board for not wanting anything more to remind them of the connection?