Boston archdiocese says newly purchased hospital would abide by Catholic policies

September 03, 2010

Contradicting earlier public statements, the Archdiocese of Boston has announced that a Rhode Island hospital will be required to abide by Catholic moral teachings if it is purchased by Boston’s Catholic health-care system, Caritas Christi.

Earlier this week, spokesmen for both the Landmark Hospital in Rhode Island and the Caritas Christi system said that Landmark would remain secular after the proposed purchase. Landmark’s current policies allow for the provision of contraceptives, sterilization, and abortion referrals.

Boston’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley was “concerned” by the statements about Landmark’s future status, and met with Dr. Ralph de la Torre, the president of the Caritas Christi system, the archdiocese revealed in a public statement. De la Torre said that he wished to “clarify” the situation, and affirmed that Landmark, if purchased by Caritas Christ, would function as a Catholic hospital.

 

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Further information:

• Caritas to convert Landmark (Boston Globe
• Caritas affirms R.I. hospital will abide by Catholic teachings if acquired (Boston Pilot)
• No Abortion Referrals at Newly Acquired Hospital Says Caritas after Meeting with Archdiocese (LifeSite News)
• Boston Catholic health-care system plans purchase of secular hospital (CWN, 9/1)