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!

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.

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

Mayo opens a “special procedures” clinic in Onalaska, Franciscan Skemp "to retain its Catholic identity"

Franciscan Skemp

Last spring Mayo in Rochester, MN decided to ... well, continue performing abortions and Bishop Quinn declaring Mayo Clinic's Saint Mary's Hospital no longer designated "Catholic health care institution." 

Side note: Did I ever mention I used to work at Mayo Clinic in Rochester?  Years ago, doing IT.

And for those of you following along at home Mayo Health Systems kind of sort of owns La Crosse's Franciscan Healthcare, originally founded by the FSPA.

A really well written article by the La Crosse Trib:

Mayo Clinic Health System will reopen an Onalaska clinic on Friday as a “special procedures” facility to offer sterilizations.

The vasectomies for men and Essure contraceptive implants for women “will be under the umbrella of the Mayo Clinic Health System rather than Franciscan Healthcare,” said Rick Thiesse, spokesman for La Crosse-based Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare.

The arrangement is intended to allow Mayo-Franciscan, which Mayo and Franciscan Healthcare co-sponsor, to retain its Catholic identity, Thiesse said.

He noted the “sensitive matter of these special outpatient-based sterilization procedures.”

Catholic hospitals are required to follow the U.S. bishops’ Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services, a 43-page document that sets care guidelines but bans abortion and sterilization.

continue at LAXTrib 

It should be noted that Mayo-Franciscan does prescribe oral contraception, and yes, sometimes pushing it immediately after childbirth, but clearly a sign of some life here in La Crosse healthcare.  

The Diocese of La Crosse issued a statement in conjunction:

Mayo Clinic's Saint Mary's Hospital no longer designated "Catholic health care institution"

St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, MN

Winona, MN - March 25, 2013 - Mayo Clinic announced this morning in a news release that Saint Mary's Hospital will be fully integrated into the Mayo Clinic Hospital System and will no longer be designated as a Catholic health care institution. Saint Mary's Hospital along with Methodist Hospital will transition to a single licensed hospital operating under the name Mayo Clinic Hospital – Rochester. This change will be effective January 1, 2014.  [fyi, Methodist performs abortions]

The discontinuance of the Catholic identity of Saint Mary's Hospital is a loss to the people of Rochester, the Diocese of Winona and to the wider community. A Catholic health care institution has the unique mission to continue the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, and to give public witness to the moral and ethical principles that flow from the foundational truth, that every person is made in the image and likeness of God. The Catholic Diocese of Winona is deeply grateful to Mayo Clinic for having sustained the Catholic identity of Saint Mary's Hospital since 1986, when Mayo Clinic first began the integration of Saint Mary's Hospital into its health care system. It is unfortunate that government regulations, accreditation requirements and reporting requirements influence a health care institution’s decision to no longer maintain a Catholic identity but it is a sad reality of our current times.

In commenting on the announcement by Mayo Clinic about the change in the identity of Saint Mary's Hospital, the Most Reverend John M. Quinn, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Winona, issued the following statements: “While Saint Mary's will no longer be an official Catholic hospital, it is encouraging that Mayo Clinic will continue to observe the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services, will infuse Franciscan values into the care of patients, and uphold the legacy of the Sisters of Saint Francis who founded  the hospital in 1889. Also, the religious art and symbols will remain throughout the hospital.”

Mayo Clinic has communicated to Bishop Quinn that it has no plan or intention to relocate clinical services[abortion] prohibited by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services to the Saint Mary's Hospital Campus. In light of this and a signed Memorandum of Understanding among the Bishop of the Diocese of Winona, Mayo Clinic and the Academy of Our Lady of Lourdes (Sisters of Saint Francis) , the chapel at Saint Mary's Hospital will remain a Catholic chapel, with the Blessed Sacrament present and Mass offered daily.

“Mayo Clinic has earned a worldwide reputation for excellence in patient care and medical research, and plans to honor the values that have characterized St. Mary’s Hospital for over 130 years,” stated Bishop Quinn, “I urge all Catholics and everyone to continue to pray for the doctors and staff of the Mayo Healthcare System; that God continue to bless the good work that they do to care for His people.”

The Sisters of St. Francis at St. Mary's
were known for their excellent nursing care.

Bishop Quinn's Statement

Rochester, MN - March 20, 2013 - For more than 130 years, the Sisters of Saint Francis, Rochester Minnesota have a shared history with Mayo Clinic. Together, we have been able to serve the health care needs of thousands of patients. Saint Mary's Hospital has been very much a part of the Sisters’ lives. Even in the early days, Sisters were known to give up their own personal beds when there were more patients than hospital beds. Today, we stand in a different place, but on the same holy ground. We still maintain a presence, but in a different capacity.

The unification of Saint Mary's Hospital and Methodist Hospital into a single licensed hospital and into a single legal entity is but one factor in response to the ongoing changes in healthcare that has continued to evolve over many years. The Sisters are sad to realize that the newly merged hospital will no longer be an official Catholic health care institution. But although the Catholic identity and the name of the hospital will change, much will remain the same. The chapel shall continue to be used as a Catholic chapel, a public place of worship available to patients, their families, employees, and local residents.

The Sisters of Saint Francis and Mayo Clinic will continue to work together to perpetuate the Franciscan Mission and the values of Mother Alfred Moes and Dr. W.W. Mayo. The Sisters of Saint Francis are rooted in Gospel and Franciscan values, impelled to act courageously on challenging issues for the common good of all. We Sisters believe in the power of prayer and are sustained by the belief that God’s presence is with us in the decisions we need to make. We have great trust and hope for the future of the Mayo Clinic health - care system.

Winona Courier(pdf)

Will post thoughts later.  I've heard reports doctors have pressured women to get abortions in "high risk" situations.  Certainly things are going downhill, but whether the cause is Obamacare or fear of lawsuits or just a way to improve the bottom line, I'm not sure yet.

HT Verso

La Crosse Diocese, Mayo Health, recieve $20 million from Franke Foundation

A new $20 million foundation will start fueling local organizations by December.

The Robert and Eleanor Franke Charitable Foundation will give funds to the Diocese of La Crosse, Mayo Clinic Health System[Franciscan Skemp] and selected nonprofits agencies that meet a set of criteria.

"It's a magnificent gift that will provide thousands for those in need," said Mel Hoffman, the foundation's CEO and executive director.

Robert Franke died in September 2009. His wife died in 2001. The couple had no children.

Before his death, Robert Franke left several bequests to local charities, but the largest share of his estate, $20 million, was left to support the community, Hoffman said.

Every year, the Diocese of La Crosse and Mayo Clinic Health System with each receive a third of the fund's earnings, with the final third to be split up between chosen nonprofit organizations.

Read more: http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/article_e4991552-c8f1-11e0-afd0-001cc4c002e0.html#ixzz1VOCgU5ao