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Father_Chris
Guest
Is it ethical for a Catholic priest to be paid to work in a non-Catholic hospital, when that hospital offers medical procedures like abortion, sterlization, in-vitro fertilization, and contraceptives?
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Daniel_Kane
Guest
I do not see an ethical problem in that the priest is not performing, assisting or necessary for these procedures. The cooperation is remote. In addition, the presence of a Catholic priest could be an opportunity for evangelization for those performing and receiving these procedures.
The chaplain is no more a cooperator in the evil done there than the electrician, receptionist or the chef.
The chaplain is no more a cooperator in the evil done there than the electrician, receptionist or the chef.
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LilyM
Guest
Howdy Father Chris! Welcome to the CAF forums
We have a couple of Catholic and Orthodox priests on here, but we are surely always happy when a new one comes to visit :yup:
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didymus
Guest
With all due respect, it’s not quite so simple as that.
Let’s say Ms. Jones has just had a very difficuly birth, her 4th child and she is going to follow her Dr’s advice to have a tubal for contraceptive purposes.
What she wants from the chaplain is baptism for her at-risk baby (which is fine), emotional support (also fine), and some prayers that the operation will go well. Does the good Father just give her what she wants? Try to talk her out of the operation, that is impose Catholic doctrine on a non-Catholic?
I don’t think it would be wrong for a priest to work in a non-Catholic hospital but I wonder how he would deal with situations like this, and probably more frequently, patients’ or families’ “end of life” decisions.
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puzzleannie
Guest
that would mean no Catholic could ever receive care in such a hospital, even in a place where there are no Catholic hospitals, or if they did, would not have access to a Catholic chaplain. Does that make sense to you?
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Maria1212
Guest
I would think there would be a huge need for a priest to work in non-Catholic hospitials and it fills an important role. When people get sick or need acute care, they often go to the closest hospital. I live in an area where there are no Catholic hospitals, and if I were sick, would find great comfort in knowing there was a Catholic priest available.
It also fills an important need when parents wish to have their baby baptized immediately because the child will not survive.
There is nothing wrong with this at all.
Sincerely,
Maria1212
It also fills an important need when parents wish to have their baby baptized immediately because the child will not survive.
There is nothing wrong with this at all.
Sincerely,
Maria1212
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didymus
Guest
Hi, Annie. No, it doesn’t make sense to me.
I hadn’t had my coffee yet when I typed my first response. I shouldn’t be trying to advise a priest anyway but let me try again.
As far as I know Catholic doctors and nurses are allowed not to participate in abortions or other procedures against Church teaching. A priest, as chaplain would have to, if not bless things that are against Church teaching, at least not speak against them and appear to approve.
Maybe I’m misunderstanding the role of hospital chaplain or what role a priest is expected to fulfill.
I’ll shut up now before I dig the hole any deeper.
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puzzleannie
Guest
in what way? hospital chaplains do not get involved in medical decisions and procedures. they are not called upon the approve or disapprove any actions of the medical people. they may, as may any clergy, advise families and congregents on any moral issues that might arise during an illness or emergency, such as whether or not this or that surgery or procedure is moral and ethical. But they are advising the patient and family on spiritual and moral teaches of their faith. No hospital in this country is going to call upon its chaplains advise its medical staff, nor would the medical staff respond to such advice. An exception would be if a hospital chooses to retain the services of a medical ethicist, which is a different position than a chaplain. Hospital chaplains render pastoral care to patients, they do not get involved in medical procedures. In any case they are usually not hired and paid by the hospital, but by the diocese.
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Daniel_Kane
Guest
A well formed Roman Catholic priest, loyal to the teachings of the Church would be a tremendous asset to any hospital, in particular a non-Catholic one. In the situation envisioned above, he can and should give appropriate pastoral care to the woman whose family includes four children. At the same time, he can and should be a source or comfort and truth for the staff.
In the case described earlier, since the mother is seeking baptism for her child, she is Catholic and subject to Catholic law and discipline. Since it was a difficult delivery she is likely fearful and fear weakens all of our resolve to resist temptation. Since she has only 4 kids, in today’s parlance it is time for her to be sterilized and this assault on her vocation as a mother and her physical integrity as a person needs to be resisted. It is good indeed that she has access to a priest who can help her in her vocation as a Catholic Mother.
A holy chaplain would (1) baptize the child if it is appropriate for him to baptize her (2) comfort and pray for or with the Mother, for her recovery and health (3) strengthen her resolve to remain open to life and to not sin morally by consenting to a tubal ligation. This is her hour of need and she needs to be strengthened with the Sacraments and solid pastoral guidance to prevent moral sin. This is the core role of the priesthood.
What the patient wants is always contingent on what the provider is inclined to give and if she wants moral sin blessed, the provider, in this case a priest, is not obligated to bless an evil act. Similarly, a surgeon is not obligated to perform a surgery that he considers ill advised or prescribe a drug that he feels is contraindicated, no matter the request of the patient.
The priest-chaplain is no different.
His value at the end of life, not mentioned yet in this thread, is even greater.
In the case described earlier, since the mother is seeking baptism for her child, she is Catholic and subject to Catholic law and discipline. Since it was a difficult delivery she is likely fearful and fear weakens all of our resolve to resist temptation. Since she has only 4 kids, in today’s parlance it is time for her to be sterilized and this assault on her vocation as a mother and her physical integrity as a person needs to be resisted. It is good indeed that she has access to a priest who can help her in her vocation as a Catholic Mother.
A holy chaplain would (1) baptize the child if it is appropriate for him to baptize her (2) comfort and pray for or with the Mother, for her recovery and health (3) strengthen her resolve to remain open to life and to not sin morally by consenting to a tubal ligation. This is her hour of need and she needs to be strengthened with the Sacraments and solid pastoral guidance to prevent moral sin. This is the core role of the priesthood.
What the patient wants is always contingent on what the provider is inclined to give and if she wants moral sin blessed, the provider, in this case a priest, is not obligated to bless an evil act. Similarly, a surgeon is not obligated to perform a surgery that he considers ill advised or prescribe a drug that he feels is contraindicated, no matter the request of the patient.
The priest-chaplain is no different.
His value at the end of life, not mentioned yet in this thread, is even greater.
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