The Energizer Bishop Scores Another Hit
My paisan, Bishop Joseph F. Martino, Diocese of Scranton strikes again. & again with the help of his Auxiliary Bishop John M. Dougherty. (Collegiality at its best!!!!!) This time it is all the colleges in the diocese that are coming into their sights. This time it is looking into the availablity of artificial contraception from the colleges' health services. Here is the official statement from the diocesan website:
Bishop Joseph F. Martino and Auxiliary Bishop John M. Dougherty have asked the four Catholic institutions of higher learning in the Diocese of Scranton to provide information on their student health services to have assurance that no practice is occurring which would be in violation of Catholic teaching.
The bishops made the request in an April 1 letter to Holy Cross Father Thomas J. O’Hara, president of King’s College in Wilkes-Barre; Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Anne Munley, president of Marywood University in Scranton; Michael A. MacDowell, president of Misericordia University in Dallas; and Jesuit Father Scott R. Pilarz, president of The University of Scranton.
In their letter, the bishops explain that their inquiry is prompted by a March 25 article in the student newspaper at St. Joseph University in Philadelphia. The article describes how the university, in its words, finds the “middle ground between Church doctrine and student healthcare.”
In that article, St. Joseph’s director of student health services says that the school’s location offers enough convenience and opportunity to encourage students to purchase condoms. She describes this as a “fortunate” situation for the students. She also discusses the use of oral contraceptives.
The Catholic Church teaches that artificial contraception is not permissible.
The St. Joseph’s director states, “It’s always a fine line between staying within the values of the University, which we completely respect, and offering services to the students. We are fortunate that there are other medical centers in the area, and that there are health care providers other than us.”
Bishop Martino and Bishop Dougherty said this position indicates little respect for Catholic moral teaching. Their letter to the four area college and university presidents states:
“Will you please send to us any documents available which will indicate policies, procedures or practices authorized by (the institution) for the provision of student health services. In addition, it is especially important that the Diocese have assurance from you that no practice is occurring which would be in violation of Catholic teaching.
“We ask this accounting in accord with the norm of canon 810 §2, C.I.C. The canon notes the duty and right of concerned diocesan bishops to be vigilant that the principles of Catholic doctrines are faithfully observed in Catholic institutions of higher learning.”
The bishops extended gratitude to the presidents “In anticipation of your response as early as possible.”
The bishops made the request in an April 1 letter to Holy Cross Father Thomas J. O’Hara, president of King’s College in Wilkes-Barre; Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Anne Munley, president of Marywood University in Scranton; Michael A. MacDowell, president of Misericordia University in Dallas; and Jesuit Father Scott R. Pilarz, president of The University of Scranton.
In their letter, the bishops explain that their inquiry is prompted by a March 25 article in the student newspaper at St. Joseph University in Philadelphia. The article describes how the university, in its words, finds the “middle ground between Church doctrine and student healthcare.”
In that article, St. Joseph’s director of student health services says that the school’s location offers enough convenience and opportunity to encourage students to purchase condoms. She describes this as a “fortunate” situation for the students. She also discusses the use of oral contraceptives.
The Catholic Church teaches that artificial contraception is not permissible.
The St. Joseph’s director states, “It’s always a fine line between staying within the values of the University, which we completely respect, and offering services to the students. We are fortunate that there are other medical centers in the area, and that there are health care providers other than us.”
Bishop Martino and Bishop Dougherty said this position indicates little respect for Catholic moral teaching. Their letter to the four area college and university presidents states:
“Will you please send to us any documents available which will indicate policies, procedures or practices authorized by (the institution) for the provision of student health services. In addition, it is especially important that the Diocese have assurance from you that no practice is occurring which would be in violation of Catholic teaching.
“We ask this accounting in accord with the norm of canon 810 §2, C.I.C. The canon notes the duty and right of concerned diocesan bishops to be vigilant that the principles of Catholic doctrines are faithfully observed in Catholic institutions of higher learning.”
The bishops extended gratitude to the presidents “In anticipation of your response as early as possible.”
The post from The Rocking Traddy that led me to this had a news article about the letter & the response from the colleges. Actually, it sounds like they are circling the wagons. Here is the pertanant quote from the article that makes me say this:
"The four Catholic institutions plan to issue a joint statement to the media on Monday, said Misericordia University spokesman Paul Krzywicki.
“We just found out late yesterday (Thursday) that the diocese was going to release this information. The presidents just thought it would be better if they got together and discussed this and issued a joint statement,” he said."
Why the need for a joint statement unless they plan on defying the Bishop's request? Or do they plan on admiting they are giving out condoms & telling the Bishop to but out? Either way, stay tuned for what is guarenteed to be a real fireworks.
Not sure what canon law requires, but I suspect that Martino will make it clear that he will apply any sanctions he can, including declaring them no longer Catholic.
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I honestly think that after the election of Obama, abetted by the huge gang of "Catholics in Name Only", that they CINOs thought they were home safe. We can defy the Catholic Church & get away with it. Several Bishops are speaking up long, loud & clear that they will not roll over & play dead. In union with Papa Benedetto, they are making it clear the CINOs are NOT home safe. & while many Bishops are still silent, way too much is happenning for them to remain so for long & still claim to be Catholic. The Bishops that uphold orthodoxy may be few at this time, but that was true at the heighth of the Arian heresy. Orthodoxy won out then. It will win out now.
Like then, there will be attacks on the Bishops who are faithful to orthodoxy. The press will continue to lead the charge. But even this extra support the Arians didn't have won't be enough. As I said, orthodoxy will win the battle. It always does in the end.
posted by Al @ 3:57 AM
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