The Archdiocese Launches Strategy Against The Coalition to Save Catholic Healthcare

As I previously mentioned here, last week the Coalition to Save Health Care held a press conference to talk about the deal structure that puts Catholic identity of the hospitals and Catholic healthcare in Massachusetts in grave danger.

When the Globe covered the story, the Cardinal's multi million dollar public relations team was quoted:

“The wild speculation engaged in today is absurd,’’ Murphy said.

Get it?

Speculation that the Cardinal's talk about Cerebus keeping the Catholic identity of hospitals isn't absurd, the people pointing out the 'ethics team' is set up to be controlled by Cerebus and there are lucrative golden parachutes for the diocese built into the deal are wild and absurd.

Meanwhile, as reported on BryanHehirExposed, Cerebus had the Cardinal's portrait removed from the lobby of St. Elizabeth's, the Blessed Mother has been removed from the emergency room and religious artifacts are being purged from the hospital. (Do take a look at the blank wall where the Cardinal's picture used to hang.)

Amazing since there's a pretense that the deal hasn't been approved by the Attorney General.

We announced yesterday that an agreement has been reached with Cerberus that ensures the Catholic identity of the Caritas Christi hospitals. The sale is still pending as the Attorney General has to review it, but this stewardship agreement was a key component for us because it will preserve the Catholic identity of Caritas. (Cardinal Sean’s May 7, 2010 blog)

The Stewardship Agreement memorializes Steward’s commitment to maintain the Catholic identity of the Caritas Christi Healthcare system and its fidelity to the mission of the Church’s healthcare ministry.” (Fr. Richard Erikson, Vicar General, quoted in The Pilot, May 14, 2010)

This is a substantive and structural commitment by the archdiocese and Steward to operate this hospital system by the religious and moral directives of the Catholic Church.” (Fr. Bryan Hehir, Secretary for Healthcare and Social Services, quoted in The Pilot, May 14, 2010)

Judie Brown at the American Life League picked up the story today in her column "Catholic Heroes and Villians".

The entire scenario is most disturbing. In addition, we find the underhanded tactics of Caritas representatives like Chris Murphy, which cannot be unknown to Cardinal Sean O’Malley. The Boston Globe interviewed Murphy, who slammed the Coalition to Save Catholic Health Care, saying “The wild speculation engaged in today is absurd.”

Oh really? Not so fast.

As always, Judie hits the ball out of the park. It's a must read.

Her ending is just too good not to repeat here:

This sort of skullduggery doesn’t sit well among faithful Catholics. But it proves once again that, when Catholic identity is diluted or denied for any reason, including a few measly dollars, nothing good can come of it. Judas Iscariot found that out the hard way. Shame on the Archdiocese of Boston! Thank God for Catholic heroes like John O’Gorman, R. T. Neary and El Paso’s own Father Rodriguez!

Amen to all that!

When it comes to the perception that the archdiocese acts in good faith, Cardinal O'Malley and his team of advisors and hench men continue in a free fall.