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Ohio Catholic hospital resolves First Amendment dispute over ‘body cavity’ search
Mercy Health, a Catholic hospital in Ohio, was involved in a legal dispute concerning a request by local police to conduct a body cavity search on a detainee brought to the hospital's emergency room. The attending physicians declined, citing ethical concerns and potential risks to the patient's health, including the possibility of releasing drugs into the patient's system. In response, police terminated an agreement with the hospital to provide policing services on its campus. The situation escalated to a federal lawsuit, alleging violations of the hospital's constitutional rights.
By: Daniel Payne
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
‘I'll kill them': outrage at nurses' anti-Israeli taunt
Two nurses in New South Wales, Australia, are facing criminal and health prosecutions after a video surfaced on social media showing them making violent and discriminatory remarks against Israeli patients. The video, which drew widespread condemnation from political, medical, and community leaders, led to urgent audits of patient care at their workplace. In the video, one nurse claimed to send Israeli patients "to hell," while the other stated intentions to deny treatment and harm them.
By: Jack Gramenz, Luke Costin
Catholic health team from Pakistan visits Mater to find ways to help serve the sick and poor
A Catholic health team from St Elizabeth Hospital in Hyderabad, Pakistan, visited Mater Mothers' Hospital and Mater Private Hospital in Brisbane as part of a fact-finding mission to enhance healthcare services in Pakistan. The visit, led by Father Robert McCulloch and hospital administrator Eric Siraj, focused on learning from Australian medical practices to implement feasible improvements in Pakistan despite financial limitations. The partnership is bolstered by overseas funding, particularly from Australia, which has enabled significant advancements.
By: Staff Writers
National week marked from Feb. 2-8 showcases impact and value of Catholic health care
The Catholic Health Alliance of Canada is celebrating the sixth annual National Catholic Health Care Week from February 2-8, 2025. The 2025 theme focuses on the interconnectedness of all creation and the essential link between human health and the health of the planet, inspired by Pope Francis' teachings in "Laudato Si’." The event emphasizes the role of Catholic health care in promoting environmental stewardship and improving community health. It also calls for reflection on Catholic health care’s contributions as a compassionate and innovative force in the health system, advocating for a society where all individuals are valued and cared for.
By: Kiply Lukan Yaworski
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
LMDC Commences Investigation into Alleged Medical Wrongful Death at St. Joseph Catholic Hospital
The Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC) is currently investigating allegations of medical malpractice and wrongful death involving 21-year-old Isaiah Benedicto Williams, who died during a procedure at St. Joseph Catholic Hospital. The investigation commenced with a preliminary hearing at the LMDC headquarters on January 10, 2025, attended by the deceased’s family and hospital representatives. Chaired by Prof. Peter S. Coleman, the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee is leading the inquiry, ensuring a thorough and transparent process. The LMDC has called for public patience and reaffirmed its commitment to justice and credibility throughout the ongoing investigation.
By: James-Emmanuel D. Cole Jr.
Catholic Archdiocese begs for pardon
The Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC) is currently investigating allegations of medical malpractice and wrongful death involving 21-year-old Isaiah Benedicto Williams, who died during a procedure at St. Joseph Catholic Hospital. The investigation commenced with a preliminary hearing at the LMDC headquarters on January 10, 2025, attended by the deceased’s family and hospital representatives. Chaired by Prof. Peter S. Coleman, the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee is leading the inquiry, ensuring a thorough and transparent process. The LMDC has called for public patience and reaffirmed its commitment to justice and credibility throughout the ongoing investigation.
By: Wise Wesseh
Providence Accuses Union of Bad Faith While Claiming Readiness to Negotiate faith-based hospitals January 2025
In Oregon, a major strike involving about 5,000 healthcare workers, including nurses and doctors, began on January 10, 2025, marking the state's largest healthcare strike. The workers are demanding better compensation, improved conditions, and more staff to ensure quality patient care. Tensions have escalated between Providence Medical Group and the Oregon Nurses Association, with accusations of bad-faith bargaining and complaints about negotiation delays. Providence is open to resuming negotiations at some facilities, while the union insists on addressing systemic healthcare issues. The standoff continues as both sides seek a fair resolution.
By: Angelina Walker
Nurse sues Novant Health Center in Matthews for alleged religious discrimination
Kristine Matthies, a nurse at Novant Health Matthews Medical Center, is suing the hospital for religious discrimination. Hired in 2016, Matthies requested a religious exemption from receiving the flu shot, citing her beliefs. While on leave to care for her father, her exemption request was denied without her knowledge, and she missed the appeal deadline. Previously, she had been granted an exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine. After submitting a late appeal, she was fired. The EEOC found reasonable cause to believe Matthies was denied a religious accommodation, violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Matthies is seeking $25,000 and other damages.
By: Brandy Beard
Why some doctors have started asking patients about their spiritual lives
Some hospitals, including Indiana University Health, have started asking patients about their spiritual lives as part of their healthcare, recognizing the interconnectedness of spiritual and physical health. This initiative, supported by research indicating the health benefits of spiritual practice, aims to provide holistic care. The program pairs patients lacking social support with community members for meaningful interactions. This approach not only addresses immediate health concerns but also fosters a sense of community and belonging, crucial for long-term recovery and quality of life.
By: Ben Thorp
The Missionary Imperative Of Catholic Health Care
The article critiques the secularization of healthcare, arguing it often overlooks the dignity of individuals created in God's image. It highlights the role of Catholic healthcare in addressing this issue by promoting a holistic approach that respects each person's full humanity. The piece references the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson to underscore dissatisfaction with impersonal health systems dominated by insurance interests. Figures like Dr. Kristin Collier and Louis Brown advocate for healthcare that integrates spiritual and physical care, emphasizing personal encounters with the Divine and a community-based model through initiatives like the Curo Foundation.
By: Jason Adkins
Lawsuit: City retaliated against Catholic hospital for refusing ‘body cavity’ drug search
A federal lawsuit has been filed by Mercy Health in Lorain, Ohio, alleging that city officials retaliated against the hospital and violated its constitutional rights after doctors refused to perform a body cavity search on a detainee. The hospital argues that the requested search posed a high risk of serious injury or death, potentially releasing drugs into the patient's system. Following the refusal, the police terminated their security services agreement with the hospital, leading to increased risks for the facility and its community. The lawsuit highlights that the hospital's refusal is supported by its Catholic Ethical and Religious Directives, which allow practitioners to opt out of procedures they morally oppose.
By: Daniel Payne
Documents show Alberta’s Catholic healthcare body paying private staffing agencies nearly $110 an hour per nurse
Covenant Health in Alberta is significantly reliant on private staffing agencies to fill nursing roles, paying nearly $110 per hour for registered nurses, which is more than double the top wage for unionized nurses. This has led to the projection that Covenant will have spent over $20 million on private nursing contracts from April 2022 to April 2025. The high costs are partly due to shortages in recruiting and retaining skilled health professionals, with Covenant spending considerably more than budgeted across several healthcare facilities.
By: Jeremy Appel
Catholic Healthcare System Partners with Pro-abortion Clinic
Following its merger with Catholic Health Initiatives in 2021, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has implemented significant changes, including the closure of its only birth center in Seattle and revisions to employee insurance that will no longer cover abortions and vasectomies. These decisions have narrowed reproductive health options and sparked concerns among staff and the community, emphasizing the restrictive nature of religious healthcare directives. The merger has led to a reduction in services traditionally available in secular institutions, affecting access to care and aligning more closely with Catholic ethical guidelines, despite legal protections for such services in Washington state. The move reflects a broader trend of healthcare consolidation impacting service availability and choice, particularly in areas like reproductive and maternity care.
By: Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell
St. Joseph hospital seeks dismissal of abortion lawsuit, cites religious freedom
Providence St. Joseph Hospital is contesting a lawsuit by the California Attorney General, which claims the hospital denied necessary abortion services, violating state law. The hospital argues its religious beliefs, protected under the First Amendment, justify its actions. The lawsuit centers on an incident where a woman was denied an abortion despite medical advice, leading to severe health risks. The hospital maintains that its Catholic identity and adherence to the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services dictate its healthcare practices, even when they involve denying abortions that medical professionals deem necessary for patient health.
By: Thadeus Greenson
Virginia Mason Cuts Reproductive Health Care after Merger
Following its merger with Catholic Health Initiatives in 2021, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has implemented significant changes, including the closure of its only birth center in Seattle and revisions to employee insurance that will no longer cover abortions and vasectomies. These decisions have narrowed reproductive health options and sparked concerns among staff and the community, emphasizing the restrictive nature of religious healthcare directives. The merger has led to a reduction in services traditionally available in secular institutions, affecting access to care and aligning more closely with Catholic ethical guidelines, despite legal protections for such services in Washington state. The move reflects a broader trend of healthcare consolidation impacting service availability and choice, particularly in areas like reproductive and maternity care.
By: Megan Burbank
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