Catholic Fire

The following is a statement from American Life League president Judie Brown regarding Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley’s announcement that archdiocese-affiliated Caritas Christi Healthcare has withdrawn ownership of CeltiCare Health Plan. The announcement comes only two days after A.L.L. announced it would launch an investigation into the scandal. “Praise God! After months of tireless effort from American Life League and pro-life heroes in Boston and around the country to expose a potential scandal only days away from becoming a tragic betrayal of Catholicism’s unwavering commitment to the dignity of the human person, Cardinal Sean O’Malley has heard our voices and will end the joint venture with abortion-providing Centene Corp! We profoundly thank Cardinal O’Malley for his courage, leadership and pastoral concern for the health and well-being of those youngest members of his archdiocese. He has set a beautiful example of dedication and charity for those poorest of the poor – the prebo...

Catholic hospitals in the Archdiocese of Boston may soon refer women for abortions in a joint medical venture between Centene Corp. and archdiocese-run Caritas Christi Health Care. In the midst of growing anxiety over the impact of nationalized health care on Catholic hospitals and charities, many dioceses are scrambling to ethically compromise with a potential federal health care system. This could mean mandated procedures and services opposed to Catholic teaching on the dignity of the human person. At least one diocese may be willing to cut a deal with the devil, says American Life League. In March the archdiocese announced it would defer the decision to go forward with the plan to the National Catholic Bioethics Center. While no decision has been announced by the NCBC, the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts reports that as late as May 11 representatives of the Caritas/Centene partnership affirmed that the joint venture, effective July 1, will include abortion and contraception...