With their paucity of NFP only physicians, IVF specialists with privileges, and privileges to associates of at least one practice involved with abortion - as well as dissemination of end-of-life material seemingly inconsistent with Catholic teaching - calling any Philly area hospital "Catholic" strikes me as deceptive advertising.  I believe that Pope Benedict XVI's last Motu Proprio speaks directly to this situation:

"Art. 11. – The diocesan Bishop is obliged, if necessary, to make known to the faithful the fact that the activity of a particular charitable agency is no longer being carried out in conformity with the Church’s teaching, and then to prohibit that agency from using the name 'Catholic' and to take the necessary measures should personal responsibilities emerge."

 

Yet the question lingers in my mind, as to why these institutions themselves even wish to call themselves, "Catholic."  The presence of exorbitant-salaried CEOs - some of whom give money to pro abortion candidates - makes the whole situation all the more confusing.  I've been assuming that CEOs believe that "Catholic" is an excellent marketing label, even if they don't embrace "Catholic" medical ethics.  Apparently, there are other legal benefits involved.  For example,

"Cohen Milstein is conducting an investigation of companies claiming an exemption from federal law by declaring that their pension or other retirement plans qualify as 'church plans.'  Pension plans that are church plans are not subject to many of the requirements of ERISA, the federal law that protects pension plan participants....  

"Many employers who claim that the pension plans they sponsor are “church plans” seek a determination from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) that the plan meets the IRS definition of a church plan....

"A church plan is exempt from many of the provisions under ERISA which protect the promised benefits of a plan participant."

Cohen Milstein is presently handling a case against Catholic Health East, which oversees five of the six hospitals in the Philadelphia Archdiocese.


If you share my concerns about what's happening in our hospitals, please email Archbishop Chaput.