Catholic Hospitals Criticized for . . . Being Catholic

John Stonestreet, Radio Host and President of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview.

The Roma Catholic Church, as many know, opposes artificial birth control and sterilization. So, neither are available at Catholic hospitals. However, for some reason, there is outrage when Catholic health care providers follow Catholic teaching.

For example, a recent Los Angeles Times’ op-ed about a hospital operated by Providence Health Care System complains that the hospital “has increasingly disallowed women’s health services when they involve any form of contraceptive care,” such as IUDs and sterilization. 

In an ominous tone, the op-ed notes “the growing influence of Catholic health systems, which now account for one of every six acute care hospital beds in the country.” And, just in case readers aren’t scared enough, the article cites the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett as additional cause for fear.

We should remember that Catholic hospitals care for 5 million patients per year, and the same faith that critics fear is what motivates them to care for the sick in the first place.

Copyright 2020 by the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. Reprinted from BreakPoint.org with permission.

Voters Reject Public Drinking in Eureka Springs

Last week voters in Eureka Springs rejected a proposal to legalize public drinking in part of downtown, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

This is really good news.

Act 812 of 2019 lets cities create “entertainment districts” where alcohol can be carried and consumed publicly on streets and sidewalks.

These districts can be permanent or temporary under Act 812.

In February the Eureka Springs City Council decided to authorize a semi-permanent public drinking district in town, but the issue ultimately ended up being placed on the November 2020 ballot for voters to decide.

As we have said time and time again, public drinking is a scourge on the community.

It raises serious concerns about drunk driving and public safety.

Public drinking doesn’t attract new businesses or bolster the economy.

It hurts neighborhoods and families.

Arkansans ought to stay away from any proposal that would legalize public drinking in their communities.

Photo by Photolitherland at English Wikipedia [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)]