What Can Archbishop Schwietz 'Do' About Providence Hospital?

Providence Hospital - Anchorage, AK

An interesting thing happened last night, I was on Facebook and saw that my blog post had been shared by various people on their walls, many were Non-Catholic Pro-Lifers. What was even more interesting was their outrage that a 'Catholic' Hospital would do something like this? They immediately saw the contradiction in what the faith is supposed to stand for and offering services such as AWHC does, inside of Providence. Many of the people began to ask: "What can we do to stop this?" Eventually the discussion went to writing the Archbishop and Providence to plead with them to adhere to their Catholic 'roots' and stop cooperating with evil practices.

One question that was asked, that no one really had an answer to, was 'What can the Archbishop do to stop this?' Because there were multiple discussions that I read, this question was asked and treated in different ways, but no one really knew what could be done, or what might happen in this situation. I also know from emails that there are many readers that aren't quite sure what Archbishop Schwietz can 'do' about this situation either, so I want to shed a little light on a few options he has.

If you remember this winter, in Phoenix, Bishop Olmsted stripped St. Joseph's hospital of its ability to call itself a "Catholic" institution. In his decree, he sited Canon 216 as his basis for doing so. His decision came down to the fact that there were various practices utilized by the hospital that were contrary to Catholic teaching. His explanation was as follows:

The reason for this decision is based upon the fact that, as Bishop of Phoenix, I cannot verify that this health care organization will provide health care consistent with authentic Catholic moral teaching as interpreted by me in exercising my legitimate Episcopal authority to interpret the moral law.

Again, this was based on Canon 216 which states:

Since they participate in the mission of the Church, all the Christian faithful have the right to promote or sustain apostolic action even by their own undertakings, according to their own state and condition. Nevertheless, no undertaking is to claim the name Catholic without the consent of competent ecclesiastical 
authority.

Now in reality this is a pretty drastic measure. In fact, Bishop Olmsted said that over many years the ERDs were not followed, but that he didn't know of direct violations per se to an egregious level until earlier in 2010.  (For a complete analysis of the Phoenix situation, please read Apologist Jimmy Akin's series on the matter). In his official statement on the matter, which goes into further detail than his decree, Bishop Olmsted in fact lists those practices which were contrary to the ERDs and which lead ultimately to his final decision. He stated that the following practices were committed by the hospital and were contrary to the ERDs:

• Contraceptive counseling, medications, supplies and associated medical and laboratory
examinations, including, but not limited to, oral and injectable contraceptives, intrauterine
devices, diaphragms, condoms, foams and suppositories;
• Voluntary sterilization (male and female); and
• Abortions due to the mental or physical health of the mother or when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.

Not surprisingly, these are the same practices which are at issue in the Providence case. Although we do not have confirmation on the fact that abortions occur on site, we do know that AWHS performs abortions somewhere, and that Providence has admitted in the past that it is their policy to refer patients to clinics for abortions if they seek such procedures.

Archbishop Schwietz

So Archbishop Schwietz clearly has Canon 216 at his disposal, although I don't think this is the best option or the one that needs to be taken immediately. The goal here isn't to hit with a hammer, but to use a scalpel, if possible. If the hospital is willing to remain committed to their Catholic identity, then it is quite possible that the Archbishop can simply urge them to remove AWHS from within Providence, and to ensure the community and the Catholic faithful that no services will be rendered or referred that are contrary to the morality and teaching of the Church.

There are other options of course, ones which are less drastic and at the same time preserve the integrity of Providence and preserve a Catholic hospital in our community. As I stated in my post yesterday, and as others have better said, this isn't only about abortion. The list that Bishop Olmsted listed abortion third. Likewise, Providence allows the AWHS to publicize all sorts of services that are contrary to the faith. Any service or referred service that strikes against the ERDs places Providence within the realm of 'mediate cooperation', and therefore places them outside of the parameters of the ERDs. Archbishop Schwietz has a difficult task ahead.

What concerns me is that rather than looking at this from a Theological standpoint, there will be pressure on the Archbishop to look at this from a cost or "practical" stand-point. Bishop Olmsted faced a lot of heat, and regardless of where he eventually came down on the issue he was going to have opponents. Likewise, the Archbishop here will similarly have opponents. The question ultimately should be about whether what Providence does and what they allow adheres to the morality of the Faith.

Unfortunately, Providence has abrogated their duty in maintaining their hospital in compliance with the ERDs. This means that all of the pressure falls on the Archbishop to shepherd his flock and to protect them from Scandal. It also falls on the good Archbishop to make hard decisions, which means he might have to make hard demands of a multi-million dollar institution to return to full compliance with the directives that are intended to guide their operation and services. This could mean all sorts of things in terms of how the Archbishop wants to proceed to ensure that Providence returns to a full compliance. Of course, Providence will probably argue that their actions are fully acceptable under the ERDs and that there is some nuanced position which they have taken so as to be able to reconcile AWHS' existence inside of Providence.

ERDs are meant to be an expression of the Catholic faith. They aren't suggestions or a list of "hopes" of how a hospital might act. Instead, they are a statement and set of directives that is supposed to guide Catholic hospitals to live out the gospel and proclaim the Kingdom of God. When they are abused and ignored, Christ is abused and ignored. We live in a time where some estimates say that 85% of practicing Catholics use contraception. Is it not wonder that this number is so high when Catholic institutions charged with our health and welfare offer such services? The same goes for sterilization and abortion. Catholics don't believe in certain aspects of the faith because those entrusted with their preservation are horrible examples.

Archbishop Schwietz can act bravely and boldly, and restore the dignity of every human that walks through the doors of Providence. This wont be an easy task, or a popular one in the "greater society" but what is right isn't always popular. He is going over to Madrid to urge our youth to live boldly, and we must do the same. We must "preach the gospel always, and when necessary use words." If we find an exception or loophole in the Culture of Life we become the aptly named Culture of Death. Catholics look to the guidance of their leaders, this situation will be a testament to all those services which are advertised and offered. Every Catholic that reads about this situation and learns of its outcome will be formed by the decision. The Archbishop can Catechize his flock with his decision and he can do it with bravery and force.

Let us continue to pray for this stuation and let us continue to contact those in the Archdiocese who will have a part in deciding this issue. Let us pray that the sanctity of life will be upheld, that the sexual dignity of each person treated at Providence will be maintained, and that the truth of Christian morality be the guiding light in the process.

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