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Religious directives at Catholic hospitals complicate emergency care for pregnant women
This PBS NewsHour segment investigates how Catholic hospitals' adherence to religious directives can impede emergency care for pregnant women. It features the case of Anna Nusslock, who, at 15 weeks pregnant, experienced a premature rupture of membranes. Despite the life-threatening nature of her condition, Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka, California, declined to perform an abortion due to Catholic ethical guidelines. Nusslock was eventually transferred to another facility for care. The report highlights the tension between religious healthcare policies and medical standards, especially in rural areas where alternative options are limited.
By: Sarah Varney and Rachel Wellford
Moments of hope and transformation: reflecting on the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers
Cathy Jenkins reflects on the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers, highlighting the profound moments of compassion and transformation witnessed in healthcare settings. She shares stories of caregivers' dedication, such as a wife tenderly feeding her husband who suffered a life-limiting stroke, and healthcare workers' joy in providing comfort to patients. Jenkins emphasizes that faith doesn't shield from suffering but offers a response through hope, love, and accompaniment. Drawing inspiration from the Gospel and Pope Francis's message, she underscores the capacity for change and renewal even in the face of illness.
By: Cathy Jenkins
Catholic Health invites staff to document sacred encounters
Catholic Health in Buffalo, New York, encourages its staff to share brief narratives of “sacred encounters”—moments of unexpected grace or connection in clinical settings. These stories, ranging from humorous to deeply moving, are collected on the system’s website and shared at leadership gatherings. One example recounts a nurse comforting a distressed patient after her shift, leading to the patient’s peaceful sleep. Chaplains like Rev. Cynthia Short and Rev. Geoffrey Hord view these moments as manifestations of divine presence in everyday care. The initiative aims to highlight the spiritual dimension of caregiving and reinforce Catholic Health’s mission of holistic, compassionate service.
By: Dale Singer
Mission director discusses delicate balance of workplace safety, human dignity in mental health crises
In the March 2025 issue of Catholic Health World, a mission director addresses the challenges healthcare facilities face in ensuring workplace safety during mental health emergencies while upholding the dignity of patients. The piece highlights the role of mission directors in guiding ethical responses to such crises, and how the Catholic tradition could guide thinking about how to care for patients with mental health issues.
By: Valerie Schremp Hahn
Catholics, Hippocrates, and reforming American medicine
George Weigel criticizes the current state of American medicine, highlighting how the willful participation of medical professionals in practices such as abortion and euthanasia contradicts the Hippocratic Oath's original intent to preserve life. Weigel calls for a reformation of American medicine to uphold life-affirming values, advocating for the involvement of well-catechized Catholic medical professionals and organizations like the Catholic Medical Association to lead these changes.
By: Geroge Weigel
Nicaraguan dictatorship bans priests from anointing the sick in hospitals
The Nicaraguan government, under President Ortega, has banned priests from administering the anointing of the sick in public hospitals, marking a new chapter in the regime's persecution of Catholics. Lawyers and exiled Nicaraguan activists, have been speaking out against these measures, documenting the growing repression. Priests are reportedly under surveillance, with some facing threats and forced exile, including one priest who fled after receiving death threats. Over 250 persecuted Catholics, including bishops and seminarians, now live in exile, some finding refuge in Rome. The NGO "Nicaragua Never Again" reports that the regime has shut down over 1,200 religious entities, calling it the worst repression of the Catholic Church in the country’s history.
By: Rome Reports
Catholic Medical Association Exposes Fight Against Normalizing Assisted Suicide
The American Medical Association (AMA) is set to discuss two resolutions regarding assisted suicide at an upcoming interim meeting. One resolution proposes to stop "criminalizing" doctors, patients, and families involved in assisted suicides, replacing the term "assisted suicide" with "Medical Aid In Dying" (MAID). The other resolution proposes the AMA take a neutral stance on assisted suicide.
Dr. Tim Millea from the Catholic Medical Association opposes these resolutions, expressing concern about the younger generation's perspective and advocating for care over ending lives unnaturally. The AMA's decisions hold significant sway in legislation at state and federal levels.
By: Madalaine Elhabbal
Silent prayer outside of abortion clinic is a form of reproductive coercion
In Britain, legislation was passed to stop activism in the vicinity of abortion clinics. Specifically, the legislation targets Catholics who pray outside of abortion clinics. In response, anti-abortion protesters allege that the new legislation will violate their human rights. The article explains that there’s a variety of activities outside abortion clinics, and the activity changes frequently. Sometimes, there are silent prayers, engagement with patients, holding banners and candles or distributing pamphlets. The justification of the new legislation is to prevent women from being coerced to continue their pregnancy.
By: Pam Lowe, Sarah-Jane Page
Can I get a vasectomy? Here's what the Catholic church teaches
A vasectomy is a form of sterilization, and vasectomy procedures have increased since the overturning of Roe v Wade. Reasons for vasectomies include not wanting children, not wanting to pass on a genetic disease or because pregnancy could pose a risk for their partner. According to Catholic beliefs, sterilization is immoral because it takes away from the Catholic purpose of intercourse, which is to procreate or promote the union between man and wife. However, the Church believes that when there are serious issues regarding having more children, the couple should resort to natural family planning, where the couple tracks the women’s fertility cycle.
By: Kate Quiñones
Vatican wrong to open door to euthanasia says LCP whistleblower
A former hospital doctor in Malta who is now an archdiocese speaks out about the Pontifical Academy of Life’s statement that in some situations, euthanasia is acceptable. He strongly disagrees with depriving patients of food and nutrients, particularly the elderly. Moreover, he says that the motivation is to reduce costs. He hosted a lecture on LCP, Liverpool Care Pathway, which delivers euthanasia, and explained how it abuses its power over patients. His lecture prompted families to come forward with their experiences of abuse under LCP. As a result, the government requested an inquiry, and as a result of the inquiry, the LCP was abolished.
By: Simon Caldwell
Help for those accompanying Catholics facing end of life decisions
Australian Catholic Bishops have released the Companion Guide to better inform patients and their loved ones about euthanasia. The document was made after consulting Church leaders and health workers. Catholic Health Australia believes that more funding and attention should be placed in palliative care. The justification is that without adequate palliative care options, patients may seek euthanasia because of the lack of alternatives.
By: ACBC, CHA
St Vincent could be breaking up with health insurer nib. Here's what's going on
The discovery of unmarked graves at former residential school sites has led to questions about why Catholic institutions continue to be publicly funded in Canada. Catholic schools and hospitals receive funding because Canada’s constitution protects them. The article explains the tension between provincial healthcare policy and Catholic hospitals’ obligation to follow the Health Ethics Guide from the Catholic Health Alliance of Canada. In addition to the constitution, it would be hard to defund Catholic hospitals because of legal and ethical implications under Canada’s Universal Medical Act.
By: Penny Timms
Family sues over hospital's religious exemption for euthanasia
A patient who requested MAID in a catholic hospital was transferred to another location because the Catholic hospital refused to provide MAiD to the patient. The patient's family is suing British Columbia for violating their daughter’s rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The organization Dying with Dignity was named in the lawsuit, and they released a survey reporting that most British Columbians are in favour of MAiD. Data also showed that the majority support religious healthcare institutions' refusal to administer MAiD.
By: The B.C. Catholic
Euthanasia's forgotten casuality pallitative care
The article is written from the perspective that MAiD contradicts Catholic values. Euthenasia redefines palliative care, as killing the patient is viewed as different from caring for them. Moreover, accessibility to palliative care must be improved before offering MAiD. The author is especially concerned about the lack of palliative care for children.
By: Catholic Register
Pope Francis again uses slur for gay priests in Vatican: Italian media
A month ago, the pope used an offensive word to describe gay priests in the Vatican, and he has since used the slur in a meeting with bishops. He apologized for his statements and said that he did not intend to be offensive. In the meeting, he expresses that the LGBTQ+ community is welcomed to the church but he has reservations about them becoming seminarians.
By: Guiseppe Fonte
Meet Marienette Bergantinos, concierge, Evanston Summit
Marienette Bergantinos, a concierge at Evanston Summit, a Covenant Living site in Calgary, values every interaction with residents and their families. She sees it as an opportunity to strengthen bonds. She dedicates time daily to greet and speak with residents to prioritize these interactions. Her commitment to enhancing operations and increasing efficiency has earned her a nomination for Covenant's 2024 Mission Award for Stewardship. Marienette's journey with Covenant began in 2022, driven by a passion for helping others. She highlights the supportive organizational culture at Covenant, emphasizing the importance of compassionate care and community building.
By: Peter Rybar
Vatican’s declaration of gender-affirming surgery and surrogacy as grave violations of human dignity denounced by critic
The Vatican released a declaration titled "Infinite Dignity," condemning gender-affirming surgery, surrogacy, and gender theory as grave violations of human dignity on par with abortion and euthanasia. Despite Pope Francis' previous outreach to the LGBTQ community, the document reaffirmed the Church's rejection of "gender ideologies." LGBTQ advocates criticized the document as outdated and harmful, warning of its potential impact on transgender individuals. The Vatican's stance contrasts with President Biden's support for LGBTQ rights, although the White House acknowledged the Vatican's call to protect LGBTQ individuals from violence and imprisonment. The release of the document coincides with a rise in hostility towards transgender individuals, particularly in the United States, where state legislatures are considering bills restricting medical care for transgender youths.
By: Nicole Winfeild
Ordinary Catholics must rise up against MAiD
This article discusses anti-euthanasia education material being delivered by parishes to Canadians. It addresses the efforts of the Christian Medical Dental Association and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Sherwood, working together to bring an end to MAiD policies in Canada through lectures and open discussions. In Edmonton, those in Catholic leadership positions are aiming to demand better support to keep 'living patients living' rather than turning to MAiD.
By: Quinton Amundson
Is the Catholic church getting "bailed out" when it comes to MAID in BC?
St. Paul’s Hospital in BC is now offering MAiD, but the process is complicated due to its affiliation with Providence Healthcare, a faith-based organization. Critics, including Dying with Dignity, argue that the current setup, requiring transfers to a separate facility, causes unnecessary suffering and delays. Many healthcare professionals support MAiD but are restricted by religious policies. The BC Ministry of Health has responded with plans for a dedicated MAiD space by 2024. However, critics like Scott Harrison believe more immediate solutions are needed, questioning the province's political will to resolve the issue.
By: Amir Ali
National Catholic Health Care Week: We Carry On The Healing Ministry of Jesus
National Catholic Health Care Week takes place Feb. 4-10. This article emphasizes the importance in marking the occasion, so Canada does not lose sight of "the extraordinary gift that we have in our country of Catholic health care."
It also discusses the sense of the dignity and sanctity of every human life, which Catholic healthcare principles stand on. The Archdiocese of Edmonton released a message for the 2024 celebration, titled ‘Hope and Dignity: A Catholic Response to Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide.’
By: The Archdiocese of Edmonton