La Crosse FSPA Sisters remove Catholic status from Franciscan Healthcare, transfers Viterbo University to lay leadership

The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration will transfer its control of two health systems and Viterbo University to lay leadership while the La Crosse-based order focuses on other ministries, FSPA President Sister Karen Lueck announced Tuesday.

The move, subject to Vatican approval and scheduled to take effect July 1, ends the FSPAs’ oversight and sponsorship of Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse, St. Anthony Regional Hospital and Nursing Home in Carroll, Iowa, and Viterbo University, Lueck said at a press conference at FSPA headquarters.

Viterbo and St. Anthony will maintain their Catholic identities with the development of Viterbo Ministries and St. Anthony Ministries, while Mayo-Franciscan will be shifted to Mayo Clinic Health System in Rochester, Minn., as a faith-based but non-Catholic organization, Lueck said.

The amount of money the order will receive from Mayo remains to be determined, but details are being worked out under the pact the sisters and Mayo signed when they became partners in 1995 [under then Bishop John Paul and shortly after Bishop Raymond Burke], said Lueck and Dr. Tim Johnson, Mayo Clinic’s regional vice president in southwest Wisconsin.

continue at La Crosse Tribune

I'll comment more later, but it's not clear if this now gives Mayo the ability to perform abortions on campus.  Originally Mayo planned to open a surgery center in nearby Onalaska for abortions.  There's been a lot of coverage in the Tribune on the topic so I'm surprised Tighe didn't touch on it, although they have never written anything that might shine a bad light on the FSPA.  Update; after posting this the article was updated with a longer version with more details.

Prior to this move, it's my understanding that the hospital had three equal controlling partners, Franciscan Skemp, the FSPA and Mayo (correct me if I'm wrong).  It looks like eventually this will just simply be Mayo controlled, in which case it would have no ethical oversight from the diocese and would just simply become de facto secular, which practically speaking has mostly become anyway.  There is a chapel on campus, which I guess would be removed unless some formal arrangement would be made with the diocese.

This perhaps also gives Viterbo University the ability to formally remove their Catholic status as well, although the article seems to indicate they are not removing them at this time.

Michael Voris interviews pro-life group working to expose abortion referrals at La Crosse Catholic hospital

Yes, I'm still weeks behind.  This happened mid August.

The Vortex transcript excerpt (video 6 minute)

The first woman you heard from actually went to a Catholic hospital in LaCrosse, Wisconsin during her pregnancy and was pressured by the doctor (an abortionist on staff, it was later discovered) to kill her child — repeatedly pressured.

LaCrosse is the diocese where Cardinal Raymond Burke was formerly bishop before going to St. Louis and eventually Rome. The case developed into quite the story in the local media, and the local bishop, William Callahan, did his best to calm the storm — without telling the hospital and the nuns who run it to get rid of the abortionist on staff. In fact, it turns out that there were a total of four abortionists parading around the hospital sent over from the internationally acclaimed and celebrated Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

So, of course, a meeting had to be called by the powers that be. And according to inside reports from within the hospital, Bp. Callahan said to the hospital brass not to worry, that he wasn't Cdl. Burke and he was not going to make them get rid of the abortionists.

In addition: Is your doctor actually an abortionist? Full video(1 hour).  "Michael Voris uncovers a chilling practice at a Catholic hospital. Guests include Karen Arvidson, Elizabeth Garibaldi and Brian Gibson."

For the record, I'm not sure the Diocese of La Crosse has ever issued a public statement on the matter.  There is a letter on the ExposeMayo website from Bishop Callahan, but this letter does not appear anywhere on the diocesan website.  It is however written like a public statement(it's not addressed to anyone in particular and declares itself a "statement").  Ah that's right, this Tribune article shows a different statement was issued to the Tribune but perhaps the "official" statement sent to the Tribune was not a "public" position statement.  Yeah, it's kind of confusing.

LseTrib:

However, the diocese said Monday that the statement wasn’t official because it didn’t come from diocesan headquarters. It then issued an official statement.

The unofficial statement, dated May 31, said Catholic hospitals must follow the U.S. bishops’ Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services, which ban abortion services and counseling.

... So I guess it has been left ambiguous what exactly the current public position of the diocese is on the situation.

The Abortion at Franciscan Skemp episode is chronicled on this blog here: http://badgercatholic.blogspot.com/search/label/Franciscan%20Skemp%20-%20La%20Crosse%20ethical%20decisions

Since the official and non official statement last May, I'm not aware of any further diocesan action.  

100+ honor Leif and Karen Arvidson, Rep. Thiesfeldt at Pro-Life WI Awards Dinner

Over 100 people gathered in La Crosse last Thursday, April 16, to celebrate three pro-life heroes who courageously live their convictions: Leif and Karen Arvidson and Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt. Laughter and lively conversations filled the room as attendees enjoyed drinks and a delicious meal.

The powerful keynote address, delivered by our very own State Director, Dan Miller, was interrupted by multiple rounds of applause, and our honorees ended the evening with stirring remarks of their own. A joyful and inspiring evening was had by all! We hope to see you next year!

Read La Crosse Tribune Coverage of the event here.

Check out pictures from the event here!

Pro-Life WI

The Trib perhaps whiffed on  this point: "Officials there have said they do not perform abortions, a point that the Arvidsons acknowledge."  That said, I am glad to see they covered the event.

It should read "Officials there have said they do not perform abortions [at the La Crosse campus], a point that the Arvidsons acknowledge."

Dr. Carl Rose recommended an abortion (of which he will do late into the pregnancy) so presumably he would have aborted their child at his primary office in Rochester.  Mayo Clinic in Rochester regularly performs abortions.  This is why the Diocese of Winona removed their Catholic status and chapel from campus.  Mayo has already announced a "Special Procedures Clinic" in neighboring Onalaska (is this completed?) which would provide a venue to do abortions in the La Crosse area to compete with Gunderson Lutheran's abortion practice.

For obvious reasons, the diocesan paper chose not to cover the event.

It was great to see Sister Rosalia there!  God bless her!

Honor Real Life Heroes at PLW’s Living Courage Awards Dinner!

You are officially invited to the 2015 Living Courage Awards Dinner on April 16! Formerly known as the Spring Awards Dinner, this special event honors passionate pro-life people that have the courage to live their convictions.

This year, we are honoring three heroic pro-life activists, Leif and Karen Arvidson, our Activists of the Year, and Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt, our Legislator of the Year! Join us this April for a night of food and inspiration as we show our appreciation for these dedicated pro-life leaders.

Keynote Speaker: Dan Miller, PLW State Director

When: Thursday, April 16, 2015
5:30pm arrival and drinks
6:30pm Dinner

Where: Radisson Hotel, La Crosse
200 Harborview Plaza
La Crosse, WI 54601

Register Now Online!​

Pro-Life Wisconsin

The Arvidsons have lead the effort to expose the abortion work that Mayo Clinic is doing and is bringing to La Crosse.

Guest Post: An important analogy regarding the choices of Catholic administrators

The following is a guest op-ed submitted to The Badger Catholic.

"What Would You Think About This Situation?"

---An important analogy, by a friend of St. Francis and St. Clare  

A Catholic elementary school in Wisconsin recently accepted a male teacher, whose reputation revealed that he was apparently a good teacher and recognized in his field. He also taught in Minnesota at a public school which was nationally respected, and there he was quite admired by his colleagues.

One day, it came to the attention of some of the parents who have children attending the local Catholic elementary school that this teacher had been involved in tragic cases of pedophilia and pederasty in the Minnesota public school.  It seems that on a number of occasions this teacher had sexually assaulted a few of the children he taught, and had even admitted to these brutal acts against his students.

Therefore, the families in Wisconsin rightly decided to take their grave concerns to the Catholic school administration. The administrators listened, but decided that since the offenses did not happen at their school, but only over in Minnesota at the public school, this teacher was free to continue to teach at their location.

When the shocked families appealed to the founding religious order who originally started the school, the religious sisters similarly replied that the assaults of children did not actually ever happen at their Catholic schools.

The families who were now very worried about the situation approached the local church.  After talking with various churchmen, it was determined by them that so long as the teacher promised not to abuse children or encourage the sexual abuse of minors at the Catholic elementary school, this teacher in question would be permitted to retain his privileges and would be authorized to continue teaching at the Wisconsin Catholic school, provided he give his word to abide by Catholic moral teaching while on school premises.

LifeSite: Wisconsin Catholic hospital employs 3 abortionists: local pro-life activists

Local Wisconsin Catholics are organizing protests outside a La Crosse Catholic-affiliated hospital that they say is employing up to three abortionists on staff. While the protesters acknowledge that the abortionists don’t perform abortions at the Catholic hospital itself, they say it is unacceptable for the hospital to be affiliated with abortionists in any way, and are calling for the hospital to sever ties with the doctors.

Leif and Karen Arvidson, who are spearheading the protests, say that they were galvanized into action after Dr. Carl Rose, who works at the Catholic hospital part-time, suggested abortion as an option when their eighth child was found to have physical ailments in 2012.

Leif spoke to LifeSiteNews via telephone Wednesday evening, shortly after he returned from a protest at the hospital that he says was attended by over 100 local pro-life activists.

He said that after he and his wife had their negative experiences with Dr. Rose and became suspicious about his background, his wife anonymously called the doctor’s office and was told that Dr. Rose would be willing to perform an abortion up to 20 weeks, for any reason. Leif also said that administrators at the hospital have admitted in private that Dr. Rose does indeed perform abortions at a nearby hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Leif also said that in the process of investigating Dr. Rose, he and his wife discovered that two other doctors that work at the Catholic hospital also perform abortions elsewhere, something that was independently confirmed by Pro-Life Action Ministries.

continue at LifeSite

The most thorough article to date on the topic.  

Mayo-Franciscan, FSPA respond to Bp. Callahan statement

Mayo-Franciscan and the FSPAs also issued reactions Monday in response to requests for comments on the bishop’s original statement.

Mayo-Franciscan CEO Dr. Tim Johnson said, “The organization is very appreciative of the bishop’s support of the Catholic hospital in La Crosse and its benefit to the community, and the dialogue we’ve been able to have with him on this issue over the last several months. We also appreciate the guidance we have received from our sponsors, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.

“Franciscan Healthcare remains committed to compassionate, high-quality health care for all of our patients in accord with its Catholic mission and our legal and medical obligations,” Johnson said.

The FSPA statement quoted Sister Karen Lueck, the order’s president, as saying, in part, “We move forward, together with Bishop Callahan and Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare, continuing to honor our responsibilities as stewards of the Gospel ministry of healing. We do this by answering the bishop’s call in his statement for continued regular evaluations and reviews of policies, procedures and internal actions.”

FSPA leaders will work with Mayo-Franciscan and the bishop to “ensure that all ethical and religious guidelines are communicated effectively to and evaluated regularly with all of our partners in our sponsored ministries.”

full article at La Crosse Tribune

Mayo Health Systems refuses to say one way or the other that the employee in question, Dr. Rose, does perform abortions.  I don't get it.  If they think it's legit, why not admit it?  Why keep it a big secret?

I'm not sure who will give first here.  Neither admit any desire to comply with the USCCB Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. And that is really the heart of the crisis in Catholic healthcare today.

Bp. Callahan on abortion counselling at Franciscan Skemp "it is a scandal"

via ExposeMayo.com

Last week, the Arvidson’s met with Bishop William Callahan, Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse. He provided them with copies of the following statement, which he has already given to the administrators of Mayo Clinic-Franciscan Healthcare and the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.

Portion of Bp. Callahan statement:

Catholics, and even non-Catholics, who come to a Catholic healthcare institution should be able to expect from the institution and from healthcare providers conformity to the Catholic identity of the institution. Catholic women, in particular, who come to our Catholic healthcare institutions, should be able to have the reasonable expectation that they will be treated in accord with the Catholic mission of these institutions, namely, that they will receive care that is consonant with Catholic teaching and within the scope of the ERD. In coming to any of our Catholic healthcare facilities, they should be free from any pressure, counseling, or referrals towards immoral practices such as direct sterilization (cf. ERD 53), artificial contraceptives or contraceptive practices (cf. ERD 52), the killing of a pre-born child through abortion (cf. ERD 45), or genetic counseling not in accord with Catholic moral teaching (cf. ERD 54). When such care is denied or disallowed, there exists a breach of promise, an alienation of trust, and a serious inconsistency with the Catholic identity of the institution.

Thus, it is a scandal, as defined by the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2284-2287, when any Catholic healthcare institution associates itself with individuals who perform or counsel at the institution practices incompatible with the Gospel of Life and Catholic moral teaching. This is so particularly when the cooperation is formal but, as ERD 71 stipulates, the “cooperation which in all other respects is morally licit, may need to be refused because of the scandal that might be caused.”

It must be said that the recent concerns regarding the association of Mayo Clinic Health System—Franciscan Healthcare with possible abortion counseling or referral is scandalous. It must be noted, however, that abortions have not been performed in the past, nor will they be tolerated in the future at Mayo Clinic Health System—Franciscan Healthcare. Counseling for abortion, referring for abortions, or offering abortion as an option for treatment, is in direct contradiction with Catholic moral teaching and the Gospel of Life. Mayo Clinic Health System—Franciscan Healthcare presents itself and publically identifies itself as a Catholic institution. Doctors and healthcare professionals in Catholic healthcare facilities are expected to uphold the teachings and mandates presented by the sponsoring religious institute and those established by the competent Church authority.

Portion of statement of the Arvidson family(who originally uncovered the abortion counseling)

We are grateful that Bishop Callahan conveyed this message to the administrators of Mayo Clinic-Franciscan Healthcare and the FSPA Sisters. We were informed that the administrators were receptive to this message and stated that they intend to comply with the ERDs.

However, we were then informed that the abortion providers are continuing to work with pregnant women at Franciscan Healthcare. It is our firm belief that, in order to comply with the ERDs, the hospital must sever ties with all of the physicians who perform abortions. Physicians who take the lives of innocent babies should not be allowed to work with pregnant women in a Catholic hospital. The association of the hospital with abortion providers is the cause of grave scandal, and the scandal will remain until they are removed.

full details at ExposeMayo.com

The ball is in the court of the FSPA and the board of Franciscan Healthcare.  From where I sit, they have been needlessly obstinate protecting their abortion counselling practice.  Do they really think that Gundersen Lutheran is getting all the abortion business in town because people won't drive to Rochester (less than an hour drive from La Crosse)?  Maybe Mayo is just cramming this one down their throats as it already lost its Catholic status and apparently it hasn't affected the profit margins.  It could be Mayo would prefer Franciscan to lose its Catholic status; after all, Pope Francis doesn't have voting stock.

Update: FSPA superior ordered pro-life icon removed from chapel

Yesterday I posted this promising happening with the FSPA/Mayo/Abortion situation.  

A reader alerted me to this sad follow up.

Sadly, however, the Sr. Rosalia's immediate Superior ordered the Icon be removed from the adoration chapel tonight. The disgruntled President of the FSPAs has now contacted Sr. Rosalia and asked her to report to a 9am meeting tomorrow morning. Please pray for Sr. Rosalia, her Community and the meeting- may it be a grace-filled opportunity to glorify God!

That would be:

Sister Linda Mershon, mission councilor holds a master's degree in spirituality from Prescott College in Prescott, Ariz., and a bachelor's degree in sociology from California State University at Long Beach. Sister Mershon, who has two married sons and a granddaughter, accepted her call to religious life during her mid-life years. 

She also served on the FSPA board while the notorious Sr. Marlene Weisenbeck was president (and also president of the LCWR).

Franciscan Skemp update: Our Lady of Czestochowa pro-life icon welcomed into FSPA chapel

As we took the icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa[details below] to the vehicle to escort her to Franciscan Healthcare, it was pouring down rain. Father Peter West, of Human Life International, sadly noted that the icon should not be out in such weather. I asked Will Goodman if he thought that, perhaps, Sister Rosalia Bauer, the pro-life FSPA Sister, could find a way for the icon to be brought into the convent chapel if it was raining at Franciscan Healthcare. He said that he would call her.

The striking icon of Our Lady was then taken to the hospital, where people were waiting to pray. Her icon arrived in the midst of torrential rains. Father West said that the icon could not be taken out of the vehicle, but we could pray a chaplet for Divine Mercy together. Everyone prayed in the rain.

After the chaplet was completed, Father West noted that a large canopy that someone had offered would provide sufficient cover for the icon of Our Lady. Four men carried the canopy over to his vehicle and provided protective cover so that the icon could be taken out. The icon was then carried to Market Street, in front of Franciscan Healthcare.

Father West led the group of approximately 35 people in praying the rosary, seeking Our Lady’s intercession for an end to the hospital’s involvement with abortion in any way. It continued to rain, sometimes very hard, along with thunder and lightning – a theophany, it seemed.

It was a powerful time of prayer. No one cared that we were soaking wet!

But it did not end there. Because of the rain, Sister Rosalia had arranged to have the icon brought indoors, into Saint Rose Convent! Our Lady of Czestochowa was escorted into Mary of the Angels Chapel (the convent chapel) and placed in the sanctuary! Father West was invited to the ambo, where he gave an excellent talk about the worldwide pro-life pilgrimage of the icon and the effort to build a culture that respects human life.

But it did not end there. The icon was then escorted into the Sisters’ perpetual adoration chapel, where the pro-life group spent time in silent prayer.

But it did not end there. Sister Rosalia arranged for the icon to remain in the Sisters’ adoration chapel for the entire night! The icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa is in the center of Saint Rose Convent as I write this message. Our Lady has gone to the heart of this intense spiritual battle.

Expose Mayo

A side note, the Our Lady of Czestochowa icon is a replica of the original icon said to have been written by St. Luke himself(and hence since St. Luke was a doctor, there is a particular connection to ethical treatment of mothers and the unborn).  Human Life International has organized a pilgrimage across the country, and the icon makes it way back through Wisconsin later this month:

-June 13 – St. John the Baptist Church in Marshfield, WI
-June 14-15 – Sacred Heart Church in Polonia, WI
-June 16 Lumen Christi Church in Mequon, WI
-June 17 – Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians at Holy Hill in Hubertus, WI
-June 18 – Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, WI
-June 19 – Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Monona, WI

 details

An update on Franciscan Skemp, public prayer vigil this Wednesday May 14th

+Please pray for a special pro-life presentation with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse tomorrow at 1pm. There will be three who will be speaking up for the Gospel of Life. Pray that hearts, minds and souls may be moved. Thank you.

and also this

On Wednesday, May 14th, Dr. Carl Rose, the abortionist at the center of this controversy, will be coming to Mayo Clinic-Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse to meet with pregnant women. We want the pregnant women who are meeting with Dr. Rose to know that he is an abortionist, so that he does not mislead them into harming their babies. We also want to send a strong message to Dr. Rose, the administration of Franciscan Healthcare and the FSPA Sisters that it is unacceptable to have an abortionist working at our Catholic hospital and it must stop now.

Supporters of this cause will be holding up signs from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on May 14th, and we hope to have a crowd of at least 150 people for a strong stand from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Supporters from the Twin Cities to Rockford, Illinois, have indicated that they will join the picketers on May 14th. Please join us to take a stand on behalf of mothers and babies. Please spread the word and encourage new people to join us.

And please pray for the success of this growing movement. With the grace of God, we can bring these shameful practices to an end.

A good news update on Franciscan Skemp

Just to provide an update, the meeting with the medical ethics committees went very well yesterday. Thank you so much for your prayers! Without question, Our Lord blessed the meeting with His grace. We had a full discussion of the facts and the law. When we discussed the Ethical and Religious Directives, everyone seemed to agree that the bishop is the proper authority to interpret them and determine whether or not they are being followed. It seemed like a real turning point, because the committee members seemed very sympathetic and committed to discovering the truth regarding the facts, the law and the proper interpretation of the ERDs.

Thank you to all of you for continuing to support this cause. So many people are doing so much to support this growing effort. Please pray that the ethics committees will make good determinations and provide good advice to the administration and the bishop. Also continue to pray that, once the bishop has the opportunity to consider the issue fully and receive good counsel, he will have the strength to correct the administration and the Sisters, with firmness and charity, and convince them to take the right actions to bring an end to this.

Sister Mary Avila Wittig, FSPA, who was 99 years old, passed away yesterday evening while another Sister was praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet at her bedside. Sister Mary Avila firmly believed in the dignity of all human life. The good Sister who was at her bedside informed us that Sister Mary Avila offered her final sufferings up in prayer for this cause. May God bless her soul, and may He answer her prayer.

No Abortionists at Franciscan Healthcare

Requiescat in pace. 

Catholic Franciscan Skemp's abortion-option mandate contradicts state and federal law

Background: La Crosse Tribune March 13, 2014:

Franciscan Skemp issued a press release to the Trib regarding presenting abortion(we won't even go into the pressuring of abortion for this specific case) as an option to a high risk pregnancy stating:

“After a comprehensive review process, including a review of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare, we are confident that the situation is being handled appropriately from all aspects — morally, medically and legally.

Today we'll focus on this legal mandate to present abortion as an option to a pregnant woman.  No where have I seen any citation from Franciscan Skemp for this legal leg of the three legged stool that this abortion-option mandate has been placed upon.

Expose Mayo has the details.

The administration of Mayo Clinic-Franciscan Healthcare has stated their intent to inform physicians that they have a legal obligation to discuss the option of abortion with pregnant women.  There is no legal requirement for physicians to discuss abortion as an option.  In fact, both Wisconsin and federal laws actually protect hospitals and physicians from being forced to participate in, assist with or recommend an abortion.  The specific Wisconsin statute and a sample federal statute follow.     

Wisconsin Statutes §253.09
253.09. Abortion refused; no liability; no discrimination

(1) No hospital shall be required to admit any patient or to allow the use of the hospital facilities for the purpose of performing a sterilization procedure or removing a human embryo or fetus. A physician or any other person who is a member of or associated with the staff of a hospital, or any employee of a hospital in which such a procedure has been authorized, who shall state in writing his or her objection to the performance of or providing assistance to such a procedure on moral or religious grounds shall not be required to participate in such medical procedure, and the refusal of any such person to participate therein shall not form the basis of any claim for damages on account of such refusal or for any disciplinary or recriminatory action against such person.

(2) No hospital or employee of any hospital shall be liable for any civil damages resulting from a refusal to perform sterilization procedures or remove a human embryo or fetus from a person, if such refusal is based on religious or moral precepts.

(3) No hospital, school or employer may discriminate against any person with regard to admission, hiring or firing, tenure, term, condition or privilege of employment, student status or staff status on the ground that the person refuses to recommend, aid or perform procedures for sterilization or the removal of a human embryo or fetus, if the refusal is based on religious or moral precepts.

(4) The receipt of any grant, contract, loan or loan guarantee under any state or federal law does not authorize any court or any public official or other public authority to require:

(a) Such individual to perform or assist in the performance of any sterilization procedure or removal of a human embryo or fetus if the individual’s performance or assistance in the performance of such a procedure would be contrary to the individual’s religious beliefs or moral convictions; or

(b) Such entity to:

1. Make its facilities available for the performance of any sterilization procedure or removal of a human embryo or fetus if the performance of such a procedure in such facilities is prohibited by the entity on the basis of religious beliefs or moral convictions; or
2. Provide any personnel for the performance or assistance in the performance of any sterilization procedure or assistance if the performance or assistance in the performance of such procedure or the removal of a human embryo or fetus by such personnel would be contrary to the religious beliefs or moral convictions of such personnel.

continue at Expose Mayo for details on the current federal legislation

I'm sure Franciscan Skemp is a big advertiser with the La Crosse Tribune(the same goes for the TV outlets) so I'm not sure how far they will cover this story which sheds their clients in a bad light.

What will be even more interesting is when we dive into the only documentation that was cited in the above statement: The USCCB's Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare.   

Image

100+ demonstrate at Franciscan Skemp La Crosse to protest abortion policy

Expose Mayo was featured on News 8 yesterday. However, it is unfortunate that they said there were only a “handful” of protesters, when in reality there were over 100+ faithful supporters! Thanks to everyone who joined us yesterday!

To see the short news video visit this link: http://www.news8000.com/news/25408026

ExposeMayo 

Still nothing from the bishop at this point.  I wonder at what point the protest will move to the chancery.  

Pro-Life Action Ministries: Abortionist Working at Catholic Hospital in La Crosse

Debra Braun of Pro-Life Action Ministries did an article on the situation at Franciscan Skemp bringing in abortionists on site for consultations.

Pro-lifers have been picketing the Catholic hospital in La Crosse, Wis. since March 5, asking that the hospital sever ties with abortionist Carl Rose. The hospital, Mayo Clinic Health System- Franciscan Healthcare, is co-owned by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) and is part of the Mayo Clinic, based in Rochester, Minn. Rose is an OB/GYN who sees pregnant women at the hospital in La Crosse and who kills unborn children elsewhere, presumably at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Methodist Campus in Rochester, where we know abortions are being committed. (See "Pray for Carl Rose" on page 6.)

The pro-life efforts are headed up by Leif and Karen Arvidson, who have personal experience with Rose. During Karen’s most recent pregnancy, she was seen by Rose at the La Crosse hospital. Although the baby was perfectly healthy at the time, Rose suggested that he could have Down Syndrome and that they should discuss their options (i.e., abortion).

When Karen suffered a placental abruption, Rose seemed to have no concern for the life of the child, according to the Arvidsons. The baby experienced great distress, but Rose neglected to provide help. In order to find out why he was so calloused, Karen called his office in Rochester. An office worker informed her that Rose commits abortions for any reason up to about 21 weeks. [Even Planned Parenthood will only do abortions up to 14 weeks] Since the story went public, several other women have come forward with stories of similar experiences with Rose. Some of their stories are posted on a new website that was established to raise awareness of the issue — www.exposemayo.com.

The baby, Peter, now 18 months old, had some medical challenges after birth. By the grace of God, through the fervent prayers of many supporters, he is now doing well, with some developmental delays, said Leif.

The Arvidsons have asked the FSPA Sisters and hospital administrators to sever ties with the abortionist, but they decided to continue to have him meet with pregnant women. They said that they are morally obliged to provide abortion as an option. Yet, in May 2011, hospital CEO Dr. Timothy Johnson had said, "We are committed to maintaining our Catholic identity. It is a very big part of who we are."

“It is unacceptable that Franciscan brings in an abortionist to work with pregnant women, unbeknownst to them,” the Arvidsons said in a statement. “It is gravely wrong for a Catholic hospital to refer patients out to abortion clinics. But this is worse – they are bringing the abortionist into their hospital to meet with pregnant women.”

The Arvidsons added that they are picketing outside of the hospital so that other women will know that an abortionist works in the OB/GYN department. “Pregnant women have the right to know if an abortionist is assigned to care for them,” they said.

More people are needed to hold prolife and informational signs outside the hospital. Go to www.exposemayo.com to see how you can get involved and to keep updated on this situation.

New FSPA president elected, still no response on latest abortion scandal

A few days ago, the La Crosse Tribune reported that the FSPAs have elected a new president to begin office July 1, 2014. Sister Karen Lueck and her leadership team will need to face the question:

Should abortionists be allowed to work in a Catholic hospital? 

We encourage our supporters to pray for Sister Lueck as well as contact her, petitioning to speak with Mayo administrators in removing abortionist doctors:

Sister Karen Lueck, FSPA
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
912 Market St.
La Crosse, WI 54601
P: 608-791-5291
C: 608-797-7926
klueck@fspa.org

ExposeMayo.com

As soon as I have time I'd like to dive into this further.  Some people honestly don't believe that the FSPA's position is that doctor have a "moral obligation to present abortion as an option" during a high risk pregnancy - although it seems clear from the recent news reports.

After a comprehensive review process, including a review of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare, we are confident that the situation is being handled appropriately from all aspects — morally, medically and legally. 

There are high profile sisters like Sr. Marlene Weisenbeck (who maybe even single handedly lead to the visitation on the LCWR) who have made their position for abortion rights more clear.  But if the local media will not ask, maybe the sisters issue a statement on their public position on abortion in their health care facility?  Do we have to all have malpractice suits against abortionists working in the hospital to get an answer channeled through the CEO or board?  What if we stopped speaking in code and just made policy decisions like this which affect the community available for us all to understand. 

ChurchMilitant.tv to cover abortion in Catholic hospitals tonight

From a friend:

Michael Voris of Churchmilitant.tv is doing an hour-long special tomorrow on his show mic'd up. The topic of the show is ABORTION IN CATHOLIC HOSPITALS. The promo clip states, "Did you ever think that a catholic woman could call her catholic hospital to plan her abortion? Well it's happening and we'll break it all down live. Wednesday March 19th at 8 p.m. live.

I'm not aware if they are covering the situation in La Crosse.  The Diocese of La Crosse has not issued a statement yet on the report despite local news all carrying the story.  Interestingly, the director of the Social Concerns Office did write an op-ed responding to the LaX Tribune story promoting abortion rights a few weeks back (which the story seemed to perhaps be motivated by what was going on at Franciscan Skemp), as well as Bishop Callahan in January posting "Pro-life and Proud" [scroll to February 26, 2014] in his bi-weekly column.  This newly revealed abortion problem in La Crosse is not going to be solved by a letter writing campaign.  The FSPA has made it their business to ensure that Catholics in their hospital are afforded no protection against predatory abortionists (who happened to make $10,000 a pop on abortions), and to promote abortions within their La Crosse facility as a "Catholic" "moral" alternative to live birth.  I have to think that this would result in canonical actions against the sisters, whom it seems continue to break promises and create moving targets to avoid blame for their decisions.  So far, they have yet to be bold enough to publicly state their position. 

This interview on WIZM is excellent, I plan to transcribe it. 

La Crosse's "Catholic" Franciscan Skemp hospital attempted to coerce woman into abortion

First a little background.

May 2011:  Franciscan Skemp becomes more extensively connected to Mayo

"We'll be more extensively connected to Mayo, and the Mayo knowledge and expertise will be just a click away," Johnson said. "Patients will have a much more seamless experience over time."

Franciscan Healthcare will be a secondary name used on signs and in local internal operations.

Dr. Robert Nesse, former Franciscan Skemp president and CEO, is the CEO of the entire Mayo Clinic Health System, which provides services to 70 communities.

He said the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, co-owners and sponsors of the La Crosse-based system, approved the name change.

"Here locally, we are committed to maintaining our Catholic identity," [La Crosse CEO Dr. Timothy] Johnson said. "It is a very big part of who we are."

"We're not going to solve the health care crisis with fragmented care," he said. "In a fully integrated system, you can take care of patients from birth to death."

March 2013: Mayo Clinic's Saint Mary's Hospital no longer designated "Catholic health care institution."  This is in Rochester at the main site of the Mayo System.  It was revoked when Bishop Quinn of Winona, MN found out Mayo insisted on performing abortions on campus. 

February 2014: Mayo clinic - not Franciscan Skemp directly - opened a "special procedures" clinic in neighboring Onalaska to do sterilizations and (it is assumed) eventually do abortions. It seemed like Franciscan Skemp might actually be attempting to retain their Catholic and Franciscan identity by sheltering itself from the larger system, but it turns out that is not the case.  I'm told that Franciscan Skemp employees were already expected to be operating the building, not Mayo employees.  A smokescreen; probably because they figured the bishop would not yank their Catholic status in the process.

Franciscan Skemp and Mayo got the local paper to run a front page pro-abortion article following this announcement on a Sunday in the La Crosse Tribune (and I'm told the Rochester Post Bulletin as well but I could not find it).  

Alive and doing well, thank you very much. 

Now the summary of what has come to light:

Hi Everyone,

For those of you who don't know, Dr. Rose was my doctor for my most recent pregnancy.  The care was so bad, that we suspected he was an abortionist.  Dr. Carl Rose (who works at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and comes to La Crosse to work with OB/GYN patients), seemed very callous toward the life of our child.  In late January, in an effort to find out the truth about the doctor, I called Mayo Clinic in Rochester and asked if Dr. Rose would provide an abortion.  Surprisingly, the doctor's receptionist said that he would, and he has provided abortions.  She said that he provides abortions up to 20 weeks plus 6 days and after some questioning she basically said that he will do it for any reason, according to the woman's wishes.  This is the doctor who was supposed to take care of me and my baby during my difficult pregnancy!

It was a very disheartening day yesterday(Tuesday).  We met with the hospital administrators again, to receive their response to our requests (to sever ties with abortionist, Dr. Rose).  Dr. Johnson informed us that they had consulted with the FSPA sisters [DING DING DING!] and other counselors.  He then stated that Dr. Rose is a good doctor and he provided good care. They are going to continue having him work with pregnant women at Franciscan Healthcare.  And then he[THE CEO] stated that doctors are legally and morally required to provide all options to their patients, including the option of abortion (although they do not perform the abortions at Franciscan).  So they have decided to retain ties with the abortionist. [I would ask them to cite their sources, under what legal and moral pretense can they make that statement?  There is no legal requirement to offer an abortion to my knowledge.  Did the CEO lie?  The moral requirement?  We assume the FSPA has provided that erroneous judgement]

We had a meeting with Dr. Timothy Johnson, CEO; Mr. Joseph Kruze, Chief Administrative Officer; and Dr. David Rushlow, Chief of Medical Staff.  When we met with them two weeks ago, we warned them that we would not back down if they did not sever ties with abortionists.  We are now getting the word out that there is an abortionist at Franciscan, and that the OB/Gyn staff is required to "present all options - including abortion".  Pregnant women have a right to know - especially at a Catholic hospital. [!!!!!!]  (It never occurred to me that my doctor could be an abortionist, when I was at a Catholic hospital!)  Today is the first day of the Vigil for Life.  And it goes through April 11.  Please join in holding up signs on West Avenue, in front of Franciscan Hospital.

Karen Arvidson

They have put together an extensive website with all the details: exposemayo.com