Setting the Record Straight

Recently we have seen more than one representative of a Catholic hospital opposing a bishop or bishops with regard to health care policies. Catholic hospitals -- like all hospitals -- receive a lot of government money in various forms, directly and indirectly. Perhaps they will now face a choice between government money and being truly Catholic, which means two things: ensuring that their medical practices conform with the moral teaching of the Church, and promoting the unity of the Church by not confusing people about who are the authentic teachers and pastors of the Church; namely, the bishops. A recent statement from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops aims to address this second point.