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Medical Students at Ugandan Catholic Institution Cautioned Against Prioritizing Monetary Gain in Their Service
At the 10th graduation ceremony of St. Francis Schools of Health Sciences in Uganda, Fr. John Chrysostom Maviiri advised medical graduates to prioritize ethical practices over financial gain. In his homily, he highlighted corruption in the medical field, such as the unethical promotion of certain pharmacies for personal profit. He emphasized the importance of focusing on patient welfare rather than monetary rewards. Fr. Maviiri urged the graduates to emulate St. Francis of Assisi, who is celebrated for his commitment to serving the poor. He also cautioned against unethical practices like fabricating diagnoses for financial gain and stressed the importance of patience and spirituality in medical practice. The ceremony reinforced the message that the true reward for health workers lies in the health and betterment of their patients.
By: Silas Isenjia
Canada Launches ‘national consultation' on ‘advance requests' for euthanasia
The Canadian government is seeking public feedback on a proposal to allow "advance requests" for euthanasia, enabling individuals to arrange for medically assisted death before becoming incapacitated. This initiative follows Quebec's earlier adoption of similar policies for patients diagnosed with severe, incurable illnesses like Alzheimer’s. While the federal government describes this as a complex issue, it aims to ensure that the euthanasia program is responsive to Canadians' needs, supports autonomy, and protects vulnerable individuals. This proposal continues the expansion of the MAiD program, which has been contentious since its inception in 2016.
By: Daniel Payne
Asia/ Pakistan- Expansion of the Catholic Hospital in Hyderabad: at the service of the unborn and the terminally ill
St. Elizabeth Hospital in Hyderabad, Pakistan, managed by the Catholic Diocese, is expanding to include ten new rooms and a nursing area by Christmas 2024, enhancing its services for underprivileged patients. Father Robert McCulloch, Vice-President of the Hospital Board, celebrates this development alongside the Bishop of Hyderabad, Samson Shukardin, who inaugurated the new ward. The hospital, noted for its free home palliative care service for terminally ill patients of all faiths, also includes the St. Elizabeth School of Midwifery, which offers education and employment opportunities to local girls. This expansion is supported by international donations, emphasizing the hospital's commitment to human dignity at all stages of life.
By: Agenzia Fides
British government Makes puberty blocker ban for kids permanent
The United Kingdom has permanently banned the prescription of puberty blockers for children undergoing gender transition, citing safety concerns. This decision by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) follows advice from the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), which highlighted an unacceptable safety risk and instances of poor medical practices in the prescribing environment. The DHSC emphasized the need for a safer prescribing environment and criticized the practices of private practitioners, especially those prescribing to U.K. children from abroad.
By: Tyler Arnold
Catholic healthcare providers can't be forced to do gender surgeries: U.S. Court
A U.S. appeals court has ruled that the Biden administration cannot compel Catholic healthcare providers to perform gender transition surgeries, citing a violation of their religious freedoms. The courts found that enforcing this requirement under the Affordable Care Act, which prohibits sex discrimination in healthcare, infringes on the religious rights protected by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This ruling highlights the ongoing legal and ethical debates surrounding healthcare provisions and religious beliefs in the context of gender identity and transition-related care.
By: Daniel Wiessner
24 Hour Catholic Health Hotline, a ministry of love
The Archdiocese of Port of Spain’s Catholic Health Hotline provides a 24-hour spiritual and emotional support service, offering a compassionate safety net for those facing illness, aging, grief, and distress. Designed as a ministry of love, it aims to bring the Church’s love, mercy, and compassion to individuals in need, ensuring that no one faces their darkest moments alone. The hotline offers a wide range of services, including prayer, home and hospital visits, Sacraments like Reconciliation and Holy Communion, and the Anointing of the Sick. Azania Durham, the hotline's administrator, describes it as a "living testament" to the Church's dedication to spiritual care, offering support through prayer, companionship, and the Sacraments at any time.
By: Kaelanne Jordan
Kenya Expands Taifa Care Program, Collaborates with Faith-Based Healthcare Stakeholders
Kenya's Ministry of Health is making strides toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with the expansion of the Taifa Care program and the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA). Faith-based healthcare organizations, especially in rural areas, play a vital role in delivering care where other services may be absent. The Ministry emphasized ongoing collaborations with faith-based stakeholders, acknowledging their importance in ensuring equitable healthcare access. Challenges, including delayed payments, were addressed during discussions with key healthcare leaders, with the Ministry committing to improving operational efficiency and mobilizing resources to address these issues.
By: Devdiscourse News Desk
Some ex-steward hospitals are abandoning their catholic roots. Here’s what it means.
Several former Steward Health Care hospitals are breaking from their Catholic roots following a bankruptcy sale. The Boston Archdiocese, which had controlled the hospitals until Steward's 2010 acquisition, is now demanding these hospitals change their names and return religious artifacts like crosses and statues, as the new owners choose not to maintain Catholic practices. This shift means the hospitals are now free to offer services such as elective abortions, birth control, and in vitro fertilization, which were previously prohibited under Catholic doctrine. The changes reflect a significant departure from the hospitals' Catholic identity.
By: Nik DeCosta-Klipa
Nursing and midwifery college a beacon of hope for South Sudan
Since its founding in 2009, The Catholic Health Training Institute (CHTI) has trained 324 healthcare professionals, specializing in nursing and midwifery. The institute fosters unity by admitting students from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds across the country. It offers both professional training and holistic development, integrating environmental education and organic farming practices. Supported by Solidarity with South Sudan, CHTI has earned a reputation as the best nursing and midwifery college in the country. CHTI’s mission extends beyond education, aiming to inspire a united South Sudan through dignity, equity, and unity.
By: Scholasticah Nganda
The very best of our Mission is on display in Catholic aged care facilities
Catholic Health Australia's advocacy is deeply rooted in the mission and experiences of Catholic services across Australia. One example of this mission is St. Paul’s Hostel in Melbourne, which has served the Arabic-speaking community for nearly 30 years. CHA also visited the Little Sisters of the Poor St Joseph’s Home, where the sisters prioritize the marginalized, offering care regardless of financial status or background. CHA also saw firsthand the transformative work at VMCH Corpus Christi in Greenvale, where men facing homelessness and addiction find dignity and care in their later years. These visits exemplify the exceptional care and dedication that Catholic aged care facilities provide across the country, reflecting the core values of the Church’s mission.
By: Brigid Meney
Catholic providers among top inclusive employers
Catholic hospitals are disputing a report by the conservative group Do No Harm, which claims that 28 Catholic health systems provided gender-affirming surgeries to minors between 2019 and 2023. The report, based on anonymous billing data, has been criticized for its flawed methodology, including the use of non-specific treatment codes and a lack of patient age and sex information. Experts argue the database is scientifically unreliable, as it includes treatments unrelated to gender transition, such as nose jobs and birth control. Catholic health leaders have raised concerns that the report could lead to harmful policies for transgender individuals. Do No Harms findings coincide with growing political attention on transgender issues and potential revisions to the U.S. Catholic health system's ethical directives, which may limit gender-affirming care. Despite these criticisms, some bishops have endorsed the report, calling for a special meeting to address the issue.
By: Catholic Health Australia, medianet.
Ascension St. Vincent's 8th annual 'Medical Mission at Home' offers free medical services for those in need
Ascension St. Vincent's hosted its 8th annual "Medical Mission at Home" on November 16 at St. Monica Catholic Church, offering free medical services, food, and coats to over 400 people. The event provided essential services like flu vaccines, dental screenings, pharmacy assistance, physical therapy, and blood sugar testing. Volunteers and staff aimed to support those facing barriers such as transportation, financial strain, and language difficulties. Dr. Alan Bercovitz emphasized the mission of caring for vulnerable individuals and ensuring that healthcare is accessible, with follow-up support available after the event. The initiative, held just before the holidays, highlighted the importance of community care and solidarity across all religious backgrounds.
By: Logan Gay
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
New Zealand's leader formally apologizes to survivors of abuse in state and church care
New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon issued a formal apology for the abuse, neglect, and torture endured by around 200,000 children and vulnerable adults in state, foster, and faith-based care institutions over seven decades. A major inquiry revealed that many of those in care, especially Māori, suffered unimaginable harm in church-run facilities, alongside state-run institutions. He apologized for both past and present governments' failures. The inquiry’s recommendations included calling for apologies from church leaders, including Pope Francis, and endorsing the creation of offices to prosecute abusers. Survivors emphasized that meaningful healing would require not only apologies but concrete actions to prevent future abuse, including reforms in faith-based care.
By: Charlotte Graham-Mclay
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
Ascension nurses call on U.S. bishops to hold Catholic hospital chain accountable to church directives
Nurses from Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore are rallying on November 12, 2024, outside a U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops meeting to urge the bishops to hold Ascension accountable to Catholic healthcare directives. They accuse Ascension, of failing to uphold its mission to serve vulnerable populations and respect employees. Nurses cite unsafe staffing, workplace violence, and profit-driven decisions that undermine care for marginalized patients. Ascension has also faced criticism for cutting services, particularly in low-income, predominantly Black and Latin communities, and selling hospitals in poorer areas.
By: National Nurses Organizing Committee, National Nurses United
Catholic hospitals criticize report alleging they provide surgeries for trans youth
Catholic hospitals are disputing a report by the conservative group Do No Harm, which claims that 28 Catholic health systems provided gender-affirming surgeries to minors between 2019 and 2023. The report, based on anonymous billing data, has been criticized for its flawed methodology, including the use of non-specific treatment codes and a lack of patient age and sex information. Despite these criticisms, some bishops have endorsed the report, calling for a special meeting to address the issue.
By: Katie Collins Scott, NCR
Eureka hospital agrees to provide emergency abortions following lawsuit by state
The article is a follow up on the Lawsuit against St. Joseph Hospital. The lawsuit claims that in February, the hospital directed a hemorrhaging patient, whose pregnancy was nonviable, to another facility 12 miles away rather than providing immediate care. Following the lawsuit, the hospital agreed to comply with California’s Emergency Services Law, which mandates that hospitals offer emergency abortion services if the patient’s health is at serious risk. Attorney General Rob Bonta criticized the hospital’s actions as inconsistent with California’s abortion protections, comparing the policy to restrictive laws in conservative states. The hospital’s agreement to comply does not end the lawsuit, as it does not admit guilt.
By: Clara Harter
As nuns disappear, many catholic hospitals look more like mega - corporations
Over 600 Catholic hospitals in the U.S. no longer have nuns in chief executive roles, a shift from when these institutions, were led by nuns. Sister Irene Kraus, a former CEO, emphasized financial viability with her motto "no margin, no mission". However, this focus on margins has transformed many of these hospitals into large corporations that operate for-profit subsidiaries and pay high executive salaries, diverging from charitable roots. Sister Mary Jean Ryan, one of the last nuns to lead a hospital system, reflects on her career from nursing to becoming CEO of SSM Health, a $10 billion revenue-generating giant with extensive operations, including a for-profit pharmacy benefit manager. Despite these business undertakings, Catholic hospitals maintain certain religious observances and commitments to care irrespective of a patient’s financial status.
By: Samantha LIss
Harris Rejects Religious Exemptions for Abortion
V.P. Kamala Harris expressed her opposition to religious exemptions for abortion if she were elected president. She emphasized her commitment to codifying Roe v. Wade into law, underscoring the importance of protecting a woman's fundamental right to make decisions about her own body. The issue of abortion is a cornerstone of Harris's presidential campaign, particularly as she aims to mobilize female voters in the Democratic Party who support the right to abortion.
By: David Zimmermann