Catholic Hospital Refuses Benefits for Civil Unions

ASSOCIATED PRESS, Feb. 4 — A Connecticut doctor has accused a Catholic hospital of bias for its refusal to extend health care coverage to his “civil-union partner,” AP reported.

Dr. Alan Couture, who has worked as an emergency-room doctor at St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury for eight years, filed a complaint with the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities accusing the hospital of discriminating against him on the basis of his sexual orientation.

Couture’s lawyer said that the hospital, which receives state funding, is subject to state laws. The hospital says that extending benefits for civil unions conflicts with Catholic teaching.

“He is a good member of our staff,” said Phil Johnson, vice president of human resources at St. Mary’s Hospital, “but to change our philosophy or our values at this point would be inconsistent.”

Adulterers to Be Suspended

WKMG-TV, Feb. 8 — Pinellas County, Fla.’s sheriff’s department has decided to suspend any deputies caught engaging in extramarital affairs, reported WKMG-TV. Chief Deputy Dennis Fowler said the decision was made because he had seen several deputy-involved cases of adultery that had led to 911 calls.

“It goes beyond just your individual relationship with someone else,” said Fowler. “It affects other people in the workplace, people’s ability to do their job, and I think that is relevant.”

Once a complaint is filed, and the offender is caught, the deputy could receive up to a three-day suspension from work. No one has yet been punished under the new policy.

Social Services Agency Sought to End Girl’s Life  

BOSTON HERALD, Feb. 7 — According to a court document, Massachusetts’ Department of Social Services asked a hospital to remove life support for an 11-year-old girl just six days after gaining custody, reported the Herald.

According to a court document, the department gained custody of Haleigh Poutre on Sept. 13, two days after her aunt and uncle, who allegedly beat her, brought her to the hospital. Poutre was unresponsive.

On Sept. 19, the agency asked the court for permission to remove her feeding tube and ventilator. According to the state agency, Poutre had no chance for a meaningful recovery.

However, five months after her hospitalization, Poutre is recovering and has been both responsive and interactive. The national disability-rights organization Not Dead Yet has called for a state probe into Poutre’s case.

Diocesan Reorganization Draws Criticism

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Feb. 5 — A reorganization of a Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y., office has drawn criticism from those who feel it represents a “conservative” shift, said The Times.

The reorganization affects the diocese’s Office of Catechesis and the Office of Laity and Family. It calls for the layoff of all 22 full-time staff people in those offices. The department’s mission included training of catechists and teachers.
Critics charge that the reorganization took place without consultation and that it is an effort to eliminate female administrators. Diocesan officials say that the restructuring is intended to “re-ground” the faithful in Church teaching and was done after a year-long process that sought input from more than 600 people. Diocesan spokesman Sean Dolan said all employees will be welcome to re-apply for the new positions.

“We have about 20,000 baptisms and about 20,000 marriages every year in this diocese,” said Dolan, “and the question we have to face is why only a fraction of those people are going to church.”