The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has unanimously approved a statement reiterating the opposition of the Catholic episcopate to the federal regulation that forces objecting business owners to provide insurance coverage for birth control and surgical sterilization.
Category: Religion
Jewish General Hospital opposes Bill 60 as patently discriminatory
News Release
The Jewish General Hospital (JGH) strongly opposes Bill 60, on the grounds that the plan by the current Government of Quebec to ban overt religious symbols in the clothing of healthcare employees is discriminatory and deeply insulting to public-sector workers.
Contrary to statements in the bill, the JGH believes that neutrality in the delivery of healthcare services is not compromised by religious symbols in the clothing of employees. As long as services are delivered with professional competence, courtesy and respect, no legislation should be allowed to override the freedoms of religion or expression that are guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and by the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
“This bill is flawed and contrary to Quebec’s spirit of inclusiveness and tolerance,” says Dr. Lawrence Rosenberg, JGH Executive Director. “Since the bill is inherently prejudicial, there is no point in taking advantage of any clause that would grant us temporary, short-term relief. If approved, this offensive legislation would make it extremely difficult for the JGH to function as an exemplary member of Quebec’s public healthcare system.” Dr. Rosenberg’s statement is endorsed by the JGH Board of Directors.
For nearly 80 years, the JGH has prided itself on the fact that its staff—representing a wide diversity of faiths, with many employees wearing conspicuous items of clothing with religious symbols—has provided care of superior quality to Quebecers of all backgrounds. JGH patients continue to come to this hospital in ever-increasing numbers with only one thought in mind: to receive treatment and care of the highest quality. This is what matters most to residents of the hospital’s Côte-des-Neiges area, which is widely regarded as one of the most ethnically, racially, culturally, linguistically and religiously diverse neighbourhoods in Canada. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that the JGH receives no complaints about the religious or cultural apparel of its staff.
A brief outlining the position of the Jewish General Hospital will be submitted to the National Assembly at a later date.
No interviews will be given on the matter.
Contact:
Glenn J. Nashen, Director
Astrid Morin, Media Relations
Public Affairs and Communications Jewish General Hospital
Tel.: 514-340-8222 ext. 4612
Email: amorin@jgh.mcgill.ca
Website: jgh.ca
San Diego health workers assured of conscience rights at White Mass
EWTN News
At the San Diego diocese’s second annual White Mass, Bishop Cirilo Flores reminded the health care workers in attendance that their profession is an expression of their Catholic faith.
“Some of you in the health care profession are facing issues of conscience rights. You have the right to live your faith,” he preached at the Oct. 12 Mass. “We must assist the government always, but worshiping God does not just mean at Mass or other celebrations within the four walls of the church.”
“You live your faith in the world. You have the right and the obligation to your conscience, which is paramount, and the government should not try to restrict or force regulations that violate your consciences.”
The Mass was sponsored by both St. Gianna Physicians’ Guild and Culture of Life Family Services, and drew Catholics from across the diocese.
The “White Mass” is named for the traditional white coats and uniforms worn by medical personnel and is a special way to honor health care professionals. In addition to physicians and nurses, the Mass honors hospital personnel, pharmacists, mental health specialists, hospice workers, medical students, pastoral care givers and others. Read more
American Civil Liberties Union petitions against Catholic hospitals
The Washington State branch of the ACLU has prepared a petition to the state Governor to “ensure that religious ideology does not dictate the health care services a patient may choose.” The organization asserts that patients are put “at risk” when hospitals are subject to religious guidelines. [NCR]
Quebec’s Charter of Values: Preliminaries to the Charter
Implications of state sovereignty over education, religion and
ethics
Introduction
It appears from Quebec government policy documents describing its proposed Charter of Values (the precise language of which has yet to be released) that it considers physicians and other health care workers to be state functionaries because they are engaged in the delivery of “public” health care. As state functionaries, they will be forbidden to wear noticeable religious symbols or clothing, unless local authorities exempt them from this restriction.
However, no exemptions will be allowed to parts of the Charter that will impose secularism and restrict accommodation of religious beliefs. These are central government policies that are to be enacted through the Charter of Values and related legislation. This gives rise to an important question.
Will the government of Quebec – sooner or later – use its Charter of Values to suppress freedom of conscience and religion among health care workers?
An answer to the question is suggested by a review of the Quebec government’s continuing efforts to establish state hegemony in the moral and ethical education of children. . . Full Text