Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, R.I., demanded that CHA remove St. Joseph Health Services of Rhode Island from its membership rolls, calling its affiliation with CHA “embarrassing.”
In a March 29 letter to CHA President and Chief Executive Officer Sister Carol Keehan, Tobin said CHA had “misled the public and caused serious scandal for many members of the church.”
The CHA supported the health care bill, saying it would not increase public funding of abortion. The U.S. Catholic bishops disagreed, and urged the bill’s defeat.
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CHA spokesman Fred Caesar said Tobin’s request was granted and that one other hospital said it may not renew its membership in the association, but no others have left. Caesar declined to name the hospital, or where it is located.
The CHA represents more than 620 Catholic hospitals and 60 health care systems in the U.S.
No one asked me, but I'd say that the bishop's letter is embarrassing. The RCC bishops' opposition to the health care reform bill was misleading, embarrassing, and scandalous.
I agree with your assessment Mimi that it is the bishops' opposition to the reform bill that was embarrassing.
ReplyDeleteThe chutzpah! Embarrassing? Scandalous? Physician, heal thyself.
ReplyDelete