Ariz. Hospital Loses Catholic Status Over Surgery

The woman had a very rare condition called pulmonary hypertension which is usually fatal. Generally, it consists of the thickening of arteries that send blood to the lungs from the heart (right ventricle of heart to lungs). This necessarily causes a "positive" feedback loop where the heart has to work harder which requires more oxygen (the heart gets larger over time and will eventually fail, etc.). In few words, just a terrible disease. Direct causes of it are essentially unknown. Don't know exact statistics, but they are literally in the 1 in 1,000,000 range of people who are diagnosed with PH. No cure is available but treatments include added oxygen, diuretics for excess fluid removal from body, drugs to help the heart pump, etc. I should think that heart/lung transplants are really the only "permanent" solution at this time (but don't quote me!).

Regarding St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, it is the oldest hospital in the Phx area having been founded in, I believe, 1895 or so by the Sisters of Mercy. It's greatest moment was my birth!

I believe this case has brought to a head problems that Bishop Olmsted has been having with St. Joe's and it's parent company "CHW" (If I heard right and understand correctly, just as "Kentucky Fried Chicken" legally changed it's name to "KFC" to get the word "fried" out of it's name, "Catholic HealthCare West" is officially change to "CHW". Makes sense, not all the hospitals that are part of CHW are Catholic).

The bishop had wanted to obtain three conditions from St. Joe's over the past year or so (time that I'm aware of at least) with acknowledgment of the mistake of this case being one -i.e. a direct abortion being performed. Also, the bishop wanted oversight for his team of theologians to ensure Catholic teachings/principles were being followed throughout the hospital, and education requirements of above consideration for medical staff (i.e. physicians). I noticed this article failed to mention these facts. There were other concerns of the bishop such as sterilizations, in vitro fertilization, etc. that contradict clear and continuous Catholic teaching and morals. The hospital has been dragging it's feet on all these for at least over a year now.

Showdown has finally ended. The good Bishop Olmsted has apparently decided that as chief shepherd of the Diocese of Phoenix he can no longer set forth St. Joseph's Hospital before the public as a Catholic Institution.

Talks, investigations, etc. have been ongoing for at least over a year now, perhaps more. I suspect a lot of "little" problems that the bishop has been trying to correct since he got here have been ongoing. This particular case, as difficult as it was - and make no mistake, these type of cases totally suck all the way around from a medical perspective not to mention that of the patient - was perhaps the final straw that broke the camels back (heehee, Camelback Mountain is just north of St. Joe's).

Basically, Bishop Olmsted - a very good and orthodox bishop - needs the ability as Ordinary of the See of Phoenix to verify and guide the Christian nature of Institutes that operate under the Catholic title for his See. It's his sacred duty and responsibility as bishop. St. Joe's and/or CHW's administration (operates out of San Francisco, I think) apparently doesn't want to give him that.

St. Joe's has the ability to appeal to the Holy See in Rome and reported a "feeler" that they might do so. But the papers are reporting that they don't plan on doing so "at this time". I'm putting my money on the fact that Bishop Olmsted has thoroughly investigated and vetted the whole affair and came to the correct conclusion that would be upheld by Rome. I think CHW realizes this.

at 12 weeks, the kid has soft bones, so you can’t really deliver him intact. At 18 weeks or later, you can. At 22 weeks, he has a chance to live if delivered at a major tertiary hospital (not the hospital in Phoenix, which is a secondary hospital).

The entire fiasco could have been prevented by a simple transfer to the nearest University hospital in Phoenix. They could also give other experimental options to mom. And if she decided to abort anyway, they could have done so without forcing Catholic nurses to help with the procedure.

Most women would chose abortion, but not all....

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