The Answer is Probably No. & Here's Why

Here is the headline of a LifeSte News editorial by John-Henry Westen: Vatican: Use of Morning After Pills "Fall Within the Sin of Abortion" - Will Catholic Hospitals Now Stop Using them for Rape Victims?. He starts out by pointing out the following fact: "In the December 12 document Dignitatis Personae, the Vatican has condemned the use of morning after pills as falling 'within the sin of abortion,' and thus being 'gravely immoral.'"

For most of us the fact that the Vatican restated what we already knew was no surprize. & most of us were not to happy with the way Catholic hospitals & ethicists were trying to justify its use. Some were coming up with these excuses because they said the had to obey state laws. & even with this document, they will still continue to do so. This is just another in a long line of examples of why I don't expect most Catholic hospitals to close if the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) is passed that will allow unlimited abortions & require every hospital to offer them.

These hospitals are inline with the mindset of the (misnamed) Catholic Health Association of the United States (CSA). The CSA is notorious for its stands that are at odds with what the Catholic Church requires for authentic Catholic Health care. All the while it claims it is there to "promote or foster the values of the Catholic health ministry." If that is so then explain this LifeSite News headline: Catholic Health Association Applauds Pro-Abortion Cabinet Picks Lamented by Pro-Lifers.

Here is what CHA president and CEO Sister Carol Keehan said in her December 11 statement on the appointment of Tom Daschle for the position of the head of HHS & Jeanne Lambrew, another abortion advocate, who was appointed deputy director of the White House Office of Health Reform: "We applaud the President-elect for choosing these two extraordinary and capable leaders who bring an enormous understanding of health care delivery issues and the need for meaningful reform for American families and businesses."

She adds: "President-elect Obama has shown with today's announcements that he continues to understand that health care reform is a major domestic policy issue. At the same time, he remains true to his pre-election promises to achieve health care reform that provides affordable, accessible health care for all Americans while building on the existing health care system."

No where in the statement does she decry the Obama stand on abortion that is typified by the choice of these 2 strongly pro-abortion people for positions that will ensure the reform they are applauding will include unlimited access to abortions. Instead she welcomes what they will bring with open arms.

I would like to know how she can justify the above support for a reform that will include abortion in light of the claim that the Catholic health care "ministry is rooted in a commitment to promote and defend human dignity; this is the foundation of its concern to respect the sacredness of every human life from the moment of conception until death."

In reality, she can't. But I can guarentee she will use all the sophistry she can to justify her obviously hypocritical stand.

So, I stand by my opening answer that Catholic hospitals who are now giving out the morning after pill will continue to do so (with a few exceptions.) even in light of the clear teaching of the Catholic Church.