In an Aug. 28 story, The Providence Journal quoted spokesmen for both Caritas and Landmark as saying that Landmark would remain secular following the proposed acquisition. The statements drew criticism from those who said (<----i.e., BOSTON CATHOLIC BLOGGERS, CJ DOYLE, DEAL HUDSON, JOHN O'GORMAN, RAY NEARY AND THE COALITION TO SAVE CATHOLIC HEALTHCARE!) this could result in Landmark providing family planning, sterilization and other medical services considered immoral by Catholics.
On Sept. 1 the archdiocese released a statement saying that Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley "was concerned about public statements that Landmark would not be operated as a Catholic hospital if acquired by Caritas" and had met with Caritas's chief executive officer, Dr. Ralph de la Torre.
This is off-point, but isn't it a little late to look into the situation?
Another shining example of letting people go unsupervised until you read what they're doing in the newspaper.
We're making progress though. He was Johnny on the spot responding to the criticism, there was no attempt to call us people doing a disservice to the Church and they skipped the charade of calling in the National Catholic Bioethics Center and thanking them for their opinion without releasing that opinion publicly.
In any event, the Cardinal summoned de la Torre and a meeting took place.
As Catholics in Boston are quite accustomed to now, a statement was released following the meeting that contradicts the spokespeople for the two parties involved in the deal.
The details of the arrangement are hermetically sealed in an envelope and are to remain secretive until the deal gets the go-ahead from the judge.
No further questions about the contradiction were (or will be) answered. But trust them, it is all as Catholic as the Pope.
Why the secret?
This is exactly the same thing that happened with Centene, remember?
The Commonwealth said Caritas would and in fact was was compelled to provide abortions.
Caritas said it was going to make arrangements to provide abortions.
Centene admitted to sufficient facts that abortions would be provided.
But the Cardinal and Ralph dela Torre said it was all balderdash.
For a trip down memory lane, visit THIS for another episode of "there is nothing violating Catholic teaching is involved in the arrangement" while all parties involved in the arrangement are contradicting you.
It turned out the Cardinal and Ralph delaTorre were not being forthright about that deal.
Here is yesterday's statement from the Cardinal and de la Torre:
On Sept. 1 the archdiocese released a statement saying that Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley "was concerned about public statements that Landmark would not be operated as a Catholic hospital if acquired by Caritas" and had met with Caritas's chief executive officer, Dr. Ralph de la Torre.
In the statement de la Torre said, "We wish to clarify statements that have been previously made regarding Landmark Medical Center and its affiliation with Caritas Christi. Currently, Caritas Christi advises Landmark Medical Center, but does not manage the hospital. If Landmark Medical Center is acquired by Caritas Christi or by any company owning the Caritas Christi hospitals, Landmark Medical Center will function within and abide by the Ethical and Religious Directives."
"I am grateful to Dr. de la Torre for his strong leadership in turning around the Caritas Christi Health Care System," said Cardinal Seán. "He shares our commitment to advancing the mission of Caritas Christi. We look forward to the conclusion of the Caritas Christi transaction with Steward Health Care System LLC so that the system will receive much needed capital for its infrastructure, programs, and pension funds while continuing to provide high quality healthcare in accord with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops."
and here is the statements of both Caritas and Landmark:
“The goal is to remain secular, and that’s what we’re aiming at,” a spokesman for Rhode Island’s Landmark hospital told the Providence Journal. A Caritas Christi spokesman confirmed: “Our intent is to preserve Landmark in its current form, which includes no religious affiliation."
Got trust?
And, by the way, if Ralph de la Torre has Caritas now turning a profit, remind me again, why do we have to sell them off?
5 comments:
How much more can one warn the Cardinal? The Church in Boston? Let's hope & pray we don't hear from God's Justice! PRAY!
"Turning a profit" to waste on buying a failing business such as the Landmark Medical Center!
Keep their feet to the fire!
Where will Caritas get all the money for the following (according to the August 28th Boston Globe)? From the capital that Cerebrus has promised after its takeover?
Also, why is it doing such? Doing Cerebrus' work in advance to expand its acquisition of hospitals for profit?
"Even before the completion of the Caritas-Cerberus deal, which also requires the green light from the Vatican, Caritas chief executive Ralph de la Torre has been quietly courting other potential acquisition candidates, according to Massachusetts health care insiders.
"Among those with whom de la Torre has held informal discussions are Essent Healthcare Inc., owner of Merrimack Valley Hospital in Haverhill and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, and Cambridge Health Alliance, owner of Cambridge Hospital, Somerville Hospital, and Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett."
"Among those with whom de la Torre has held informal discussions are Essent Healthcare Inc., owner of Merrimack Valley Hospital in Haverhill and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, and Cambridge Health Alliance, owner of Cambridge Hospital, Somerville Hospital, and Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett."
Do you suppose the Cardinal and Ralph de la Torre are secretly hatching a plot to aquire all these hospitals to make them all Catholic?
Yes, this must be the plan.
Has any journalist circled back with the Landmark and Caritas spokespersons to get clarification on the Cardinal's contradiction?
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