VATICAN — During its upcoming conference, the Pontifical Council for Health Care will address the problem of abortion and other practices against Church teaching at some Catholic hospitals around the world.
The president of the Pontifical Council for Health Care, Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, said the Nov. 15-17 gathering in Rome will discuss “the serious challenge of preserving the identity of Catholic hospitals.”
He criticized the “political pressure” levied against Catholic hospitals in some countries to force them to provide abortions in violation of Church teaching.
Jose Maria Simon Castellvi, a member of the Pontifical Council for Health Care, told Catholic News Agency on Nov. 14 that the issue is especially troubling, given that, from the Church's perspective, “human life is inviolable from conception to natural death.”
“If the head obstetrician is not pro-life, and family care is not offered, either abortions are performed there or patients are referred to other places to obtain them,” he said.
“This is terrible, but it happens. I think mothers should always be given the best care, so that nobody manipulates them into abortion.”
On abortions allegedly taking place at hospitals linked to the Catholic Church in Catalonia in Spain, Simon Castellvi said the archbishop of Barcelona, Cardinal Lluis Martinez Sistach, “tells me that there are no abortions at the San Pablo Hospital. So, right now, I can’t do anything more.”
On Oct. 5, CAN’s South American affiliate, ACI Prensa, posted a video that showed that abortions are taking place at the hospital, despite the repeated denials by Cardinal Martinez Sistach.
The video featured a doctor recommending a pregnant woman be tested to see if her unborn child had Down syndrome, which she could use to justify obtaining an abortion.
Asked if an abortion could be obtained at the hospital, the doctor told the woman that, while “at this hospital we don’t terminate pregnancies unless it is an extremely grave problem,” she could obtain an abortion “if it was somewhere else besides here.”
Father Custodio Ballester, the pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Barcelona and one of the first to denounce the Catholic hospitals in Catalonia that are providing or recommending abortions, said, “The Church’s credibility is on the line” with the conference on Catholic hospitals.
“We’ll see if they just stick to the principles, which are sufficiently clear, or if they apply them, especially here in Barcelona,” he said.
Father Ballester said the hospitals in question are under fire as well for “genetic experimentation, embryo selection for eugenics, abortion pills that some Church leaders think are safe.”
“In Rome, there is an excess of guidance and a lack of concrete decisions on what do” about this problem at Catholic hospitals, he added.
Nearly 600 experts from around the world are expected to attend the international conference. According to data from the Holy See, there are some 120,000 Catholic health-care institutions in the world.
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I suspect little will be done until the Vatican cracks down on the diocesan leaders where the hospitals are located. If it can be shown that Acme Catholic Hospital in the Diocese of Upper Acme, then give Bishop Frank six months to deal with the situation. If the situation doesn’t clean up, then asign Bishop Frank to a diocese in, say, the Middle East, Northern Most Russia, or Outer Mongolia and assign someone to shepherd the Diocese who will deal with the issue.
I simply fail to understand why the Church doesn’t start insisting her hospitals don’t require doctors and nurses to do inservices or CEUs on NFP as part of a condition of employment and/or receiving hospital priviledges.
DjJ, you are correct. What I don’t understand is why bishops aren’t reassigned to upper Siberia more often. When these educational measures start the state of the Church will start to change. Down with all red bishops around the world.
Correction: “If it can be showen that Acme Catholic Hospital in the Diocese of Upper Acme is performing abortions…”
There needs to be a clear series of statements, a clear reiteration of what the Church Teaches from the Successors of the Apostles; there can be no doubt or place to hide and mask the Truth of what it means to be a Catholic Hospital.
All Bishops in Communion with Peter, Preaching by letter, Word and deed.
It’s very sad that the Vatican must step in because some Diocese Bishops are not doing their jobs.
On the other hand, we can not expect all Bishops to know everything that takes place within their Diocese, and they are not mind readers.
Bishops can force any organization or university that advertizes itself ‘Catholic’ to adhere to teaching of the Church or lose the right to use the name ‘Catholic’.
Each of us has an OBLIGATION to contact our Diocese Bishop when we see a violation of Church teaching - (using the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition), - Code of Canon Law (which can be seen on the Vatican web site); or - GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal for the Liturgy).
Under “OBLIGATIONS and RIGHTS of the CHRISTIAN FAITHFUL”——- Code of Canon Law - ” 212 §3. According to the knowledge, competence, and prestige which they possess, they have the right and even at times the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful, without prejudice to the integrity of faith and morals, with reverence toward their pastors, and attentive to common advantage and the dignity of persons. “
Everyone please read the CCC, Code of Canon Law, and GIRM.
It is sad that the Vatican must step in when a Diocese Bishop does not do his job.
All Bishops are responsible for every Parish, Organization, Business or Univerisity based within their Diocese that call themselves ‘Catholic’.
A Bishop can revoke the right to use the name “Catholic”, or in the case of a Parish - remove a Priest.
However, Bishops must be made aware when teachings of the Church are violated; they are not mind-readers.
Each of us has an OBLIGATION to notify our Diocese Bishop of violations.
Under “OBLIGATIONS and RIGHTS of ALL the CHRISTIAN FAITHFUL” Code of Canon Law - - QUOTE: ” 212 §3. According to the knowledge, competence, and prestige which they possess, they have the right and even at times the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful, without prejudice to the integrity of faith and morals, with reverence toward their pastors, and attentive to common advantage and the dignity of persons. ” UNQUOTE.
Make yourself familiar with the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” (for teachings of the Church), Code of Canon Law (which can be found on the Vatican web site), and GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal for the Liturgy).
Nov. 17th: How about cracking down on Catholic politicians like Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden who publicly and aggressively promote an anti-life, anti-Church agenda and yet are permitted to receive Holy Communion as Catholics in good standing with the Church and her teachings? Joe Biden even went to Africa to coerce the Kenyan government into putting abortion rights into their new constitution, telling them that if they would do this the money would flow but if they refused…how far do these people have to go before they are informed by our Bishops that they are not Catholics in good standing and cannot receive the Eucharist until they have gone to confession and publicly repudiated their anti-life agenda? To allow them to receive the Eucharist, to consider themselves in good standing with the Church is to affirm them in their ‘public’ sin which denies them the catalyst for conversion. And it causes confusion and discouragement among Catholics. Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Burke have already declared that those who publicly advance a pro-abortion agenda must not present themselves for Holy Communion. So why do our Bishops not comply? Obama again received a majority of the Catholic vote…no wonder.
Finally, I know what is missing in the Roman Catholic Church; COMPASSION.
In many cases, Downs Symdrom creates miminal problems for those born with this syndrom. What does the hospital do to provide expectant mother’s whose fetus has been diagnosed with a serious physical problem. If parent’s had adequate information they might well seriously considering carrying the developing child to term. It doesn’t seem to me that is offred.
Will the Vatican remove teachers in parochial schools who war against the Commandment, “Thou shalt not kill”.
ONLY 10% of teachers in parochial schools accept the teachings of Holy Mother the Church in regards to birth controlling,
53% of teachers in parochial schools believe Catholics can have an abortion and remain in good standing;
In the 1921 New York’s Archbishop Hayes (became Cardinal in 1924) Christmas Pastoral Letter, stated:
“…Heinous is the sin committed against the creative act of God, Who through the marriage contract invites man and woman to cooperate with Him in the propagation of the human family. To take life after its inception is a horrible crime; but to prevent human life that the Creator is about to bring into being, is satanic.
What about the pro-abort politicians using the platform at ‘catholic’ universities and colleges? Will there be a stop to this practice?
Or are these the practices of how the “bastions” of the Catholic Church are to be “razed?
No nation can conduct a war [including the Church’s internal war of Pro-Choice Life against Pro-Abortion individuals] - and be effective unless the Commander-In-Chief gives the orders and demands obedience to them - so the hierarchy should give clear and absolute orders to the Bishops of the World regarding the intrinsically evil practices which are practiced in Catholic facilities; taught in Catholic institutions; or supported financially.
Abortion can never be a Catholic practice in any Catholic institution. If necessary, a medical facility must either be sold [although facilitating abortion thereby seems wrong too] or reduced to a non-operating facility.
The issue is certainly no less clear than the priest-sexual abuse scandal of the last decades. If we don’t act absolutely, we will rue the day!
We are in this mess because some, not all church leaders have not take a more definitive stance on just what the church teachings are regarding abortions. It is rarely preached from the pulpit. My hope is “The Year of Faith” will revitalize and address all of these issues in a more forceful manner regardless of whose toes are stepped on to clarify for all Catholics what the Catechism of the Church teaches as well as scripture. One can have all the meetings in the world but unless concrete, straight talk and implementation of the teachings are addressed, nothing will happen and heads will look the other way as obviously the archbishop has in Spain.
Why cant the Catholic Church start their own medical insurance plan, or would that be illegal too, according to the HHS Mandate??
I am of the humble opinion that the Bishops and the priests and others who follow sexual moral teachings of the Chursh must be dismissed if they fail to heed advice once or twice at the most. Let us have less numbers but really sincere ones. Being a Catholic and spreading pagan teachings and anti-Catholic teachings is a great sin and crime againsy truth and Church
Many Catholic institutions are self insured.
The HHS mandate requires that ALL provide abortabacient drugs, contraception, and voluntary sterilization or face a $100 dollar a day fine per each employee.
Nov. 19th: Joe, you are right - so many teachers in Catholic schools and universities do not accept the teachings of the Church - but those ‘Catholic’ politicians like Pelosi, Reid, Biden, Sebelius are in positions of great power and influence and they use that power against the Catholic Church and they use that power to influence other in such a public way that their influence reaches millions, here and abroad. Pelosi even went so far as to declare that the Church and the Bishops are out of touch…and the more she is left untouched by the Bishops - publicly - the more emboldened she becomes,as does Joe Biden. Kathleen Sebelius has already been told by her Bishop not to present herself for Holy Communion. For the Bishops not to address this issue publicly is to affirm Pelosi and Biden and Kerry and others to feel affirmed in their evil agendas…so let’s pray and witness to Christ and His Church…
Nov. 19th: As far as the HHS Mandate goes, let’s not forget that Obama has redefined the description of ‘Catholic’ agencies and institutions…he has declared that only those agencies and institutions who hire Catholics only are Catholic…next they will declare that Catholic agencies and institutions must serve only Catholics…then perhaps people will wake up and see Obama’s evil agenda exposed…we can only hope…and witness to the truth.
We each have an obligation, and Bishops do not know everything that goes on in his own Diocese at all time.
With documentation and quoting the exact violation such as the CCC, paragraph number etc.,———
Contact your Diocese Bishop about any Parishes, Catholic Schools, Universities, Hospitals, or other organizations that profess to be “Catholic”, yet violate anything in the:
“Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition”;
“General Instruction of the Roman Missal” (GIRM for the Liturgy);
or
“Code of Canon Law”.
If the abuse is not corrected within a certain period of time, contact the US Papal Nuncio and the Vatican.
Most Catholic hospitals are not “Owned” by the Church.
The same is true of Catholic “Univerisites”.
But - the Diocese Bishop can force them to remove the name “Catholic” from all advertising, etc - if they continue to act against the teaching of the Church.
Unless the Vatican is contacted with documentation - it can not act against Bishops who do not do their jobs. (Hearsay does not work, rightfully so or people with grudges would go after good Bishops.)
Anne, you said, “Contact your Diocese Bishop about any Parishes, Catholic Schools, Universities, Hospitals, or other organizations that profess to be “Catholic”, yet violate anything in the:
From experience, it does not work! Even the canonists at the St. Joseph’s Foundation are helpless. The Cardinal Newman Society also covers for the destroying of the True Church in academia. When will we recognize that the U S bishops are conciliarists? They teach a new religion. God help our youth who are used as fodder in parochial schools to destroy Catholicism.
Joe, I recognize that some Bishops do not do their job, while others do.
Thank you for reminding me to add -
If after a reasonable period of time to allow for a Bishop’s investigation, and if nothing is done to bring the organization into line with the teachings of the Church, contact the US Papal Nuncio in Washington DC, and also the Vatican.
Be sure to include documentation, so that the legitimate complaint is not considered hearsay.
Many times it takes more than one person to make a complaint, since they probably get quite a few. Then they have to discern if it is legitmate.
It’s very helpful for as many witnesses to be involved as possible.
The better the documentation the better your results, including quoting Church teaching from the CCC, Code of Canon Law and/or General Instruction of the Roman Missal.
One good example that a Bishop handled took place within the last couple of years - Bishop Olmstead took away the privilege of a hospital from calling itself ‘Catholic’ due to practices against Church teaching on abortion, contraception, and voluntary sterilization.
Anne, there is no diocese or bishop in the U S that does not implement sexualized catechetics in their schools and CCD programs. Have you seen
http://www.motherswatch.net/content/view/12/6/ - Part 1
http://www.motherswatch.net/content/view/15/6/ - Part 2
If these men allow pornographic materials to be placed before the eyes of youth beginning in kindergarten, what else are they silent upon in regards to what prevents Christ the King to Reign in their schools, in their churches, in their own lives?
Don’t believe everything you read, or everything you hear.
If you have not personally seen obscene materials in any Catholic School, you should not repeat it.
If you have, you have an obligation to report it to the Bishop, or the US Papal Nuncio and the Vatican as appropriate.
All parents according to the CCC have the prime responsibility to educate their children - in all aspects - not Bishops or Parish priests.
If you are a parent, grandparent or teacher - - - Don’t complain, ACT. And if you have the facts, act in conjunction with others to be most effective.
No one is forcing you to send your children to a bad school.
See CCC # 2221, 2252.
Unfortunately some parents do not do their job. For their own safety children must be taught to report if anyone touches them inappropriately.
Anne, Sex education secures abortion - that is a known fact. There is not ONE pro-life group that will stand against these men who mandate curriculums for our youth to become ‘informed’ about sexual matters in a most unbecoming manner. What hold has the U S bishops over these groups, do you know? Look what one prelate did to Fr. Frank Pavone who heads Priests For Life. This very productive and successful well known organization is now begging for financially support because of the harm foistered upon them by Fr. Pavone’s prelate. Abortion will stay legal just as long as sexualized catechetics exists.
Your ‘suggestions’ do not work. Truth is provoking.
Go to ‘Priests for Life’ web site - they certainly do educate including with graphic videos of aborted babies.
You miss the point completely that programs are only needed when PARENTS do not do their OWN REQUIRED job of educating their children.
Bad Parents are the source of the problem.
Put the blame where it belongs.
CCC: ” 2221 The fecundity of conjugal love cannot be reduced solely to the procreation of children, but must extend to their moral education and their spiritual formation. “The role of parents in education is of such importance that it is almost impossible to provide an adequate substitute.” The right and the duty of parents to educate their children are primordial and inalienable. ”
CCC: ” 2252 Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children in the faith, prayer, and all the virtues. They have the duty to provide as far as possible for the physical and spiritual needs of their children. ”
All adults have to do is read the CCC, and teach it.
Knowledge about the functioning of the human body does not secure abortion. Please provide the Church document that says what you believe.
(However, I believe that sex education should be done at appropriate ages, not too soon or too late. I also believe that all parents need to teach their children - rather than leave it up to a Catholic school.)
Children must be taught at an early age to tell their parents about inappropriate touching.
Nov. 20th: for those using Fr. Pavone as a role model…and indicating that his Bishop persecuted him: this is simply not true!!! Remember other Priests who were popular and doing great work when left unchecked, did things that were morally reprehensible. All the Bishop asked was that Fr Pavone meet with him: Fr. P. refused and Fr. P’s fan club proceeded to storm the Bishop’s property screaming out demands that the Bishop ‘FREE FR. PAVONE!” While this was going on Fr. Pavone was sending out massive e-mails from his ‘prison’ (a comfy place in a convent) - demanding huge sums of money be sent to him IMMEDIATELY, threatening that if we did not send those huge sums of money, ‘babies would die’...a sign of a holy person is obedience, humble obedience - that has always been the sign of a saint. I am grateful for the work that Priests for Life has done and continues to do on behalf of the unborn but when those e-mails kept coming in from Fr. Pavone - nationally as was discussed at the March for Life among many - I felt overwhelmed. In each mail there would be multiple demands for huge sums of money, the most we could afford…send now or babies will die…it was so stressful…I pray for Priests for Life…but the experience of those e-mails left me ... uneasy.
Anne, From the the slaughtering of babies’ institute:
Allan Guttmacher, former president of Planned Parenthood was asked, “What makes abortion so secure in America?” He answered in two words: “Sex education.”
Atheist Madelyn Murray O’Hare wrote: “The issue of abortion is a red herring. ... The fight is over sex education, including information on birth control.”
The Sacrament of Matrimony is for the procreation and the education of children. Vatican II gave a new definition for marriage. It no only said parents must accept the help of others outside the family, but it changed the order to the unitive and conjugal loving before what has been taught for centuries- the procreation and education of children which is to be the primary end and purpose of marriage. The changed sacrament inspired couples towards birth controlling which often fails and abortion is the needed back up.
Pope Pius XI Casti Connubii—On Christian Marriage. The basic unit of society, the family, has been torn asunder. The Pope outlines the rights and duties of the sacred bond, the need to prepare for it well, the evils of divorce, etc.
Sex education in classrooms has been condemned by Pontiffs. This is one:
(Divini Illius Magistri) promulgated December 31, 1929…”
Anne, Anne, Quote from the slaughtering of babies’ institute:
Allan Guttmacher, former president of Planned Parenthood was asked, “What makes abortion so secure in America?”
He answered in two words: “Sex education.”
Atheist Madelyn Murray O’Hare wrote: “The issue of abortion is a red herring. ... The fight is over sex education, including information on birth control.”
Anne, From the the slaughtering of babies’ institute:
Allan Guttmacher, former president of Planned Parenthood was asked, “What makes abortion so secure in America?” He answered in two words: “Sex education.”
Atheist Madelyn Murray O’Hare wrote: “The issue of abortion is a red herring. ... The fight is over sex education, including information on birth control.”
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