US Catholic Hospitals Betray Mission:

Sterilization and abortion offered in Texas

In a study of hospital discharge data for the State of Texas, researchers found that Catholic hospitals

reported at least 9,684 cases of sterilizations and 39 legally induced abortions from 2000-2003. While

sterilizations and abortions are legal in the US, they are considered immoral by the Catholic Church since

they harm the body and violate human dignity. The identified hospitals and their respective healthcare

systems are operated by religious orders of the Catholic Church who according to the Church’s Canon Law

are dedicated to the service of God and the whole Church, and subject to the authority of the Church (1). In

their activities, they must faithfully observe the mission of their founders (Can. 578) and cooperate with the

local bishop. In the United States, they are expected by the local bishops to operate according to the

Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare (2001). The study shows that all six US Catholic

hospital systems operating in Texas not only defy these directives, they betray the purpose and spirit of

their founders. More importantly, they betray the trust of Catholics and the secular public, especially the

poor, who depend upon them for humane and ethical care. Because these six systems are nationwide, what

has been happening in Texas could be occurring throughout the country. Also to be considered are the

practices of other Catholic health systems throughout the country…..

As per wikileaks drop see notables