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In a piece titled Tussling Over Jesus, New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof writes about Bishop Thomas Olmsted stripping St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix of its Catholic affiliation.
Kristof sees Phoenix as "a bellwether of a profound disagreement that is playing out at many Catholic hospitals around the country. These hospitals are part of the backbone of American health care, amounting to 15 percent of hospital beds."
I have to note, as well, that Kristof quotes NCR's own columnist Jamie Manson and NCR editor Thomas C. Fox. In fact, he begins his piece by quoting Manson:
The National Catholic Reporter newspaper put it best: “Just days before Christians celebrated Christmas, Jesus got evicted.”
NCR has followed the story all along. Here's a sampling of our coverage:
- Phoenix bishop's response to hospital ignites questions of authority, identity, by Tom Roberts
- Withdrawal of Catholic status impacted hospitals' operations little, by Dan Morris-Young
- Phoenix hospital still belongs to Catholic Health Association, by Jerry Filteau
- No direct abortion at Phoenix hospital, theologian says, Dec. 23
- Phoenix hospital to continue 'faithful mission', Dec. 22
- Catholic Health Association backs Phoenix hospital, Dec. 22
- Phoenix bishop removes hospital's Catholic status, Dec. 21
- Phoenix bishop gives ultimatum to hospital, Dec. 16 and 17.
- Bishops' doctrine committee: 'direct abortion always wrong', June 24
- Canon lawyers assess ‘automatic’ penalty for nun who approved an abortion, June 22
- Ethicists fault bishop’s action in Phoenix abortion case, June 8
- Thomas J. Olmsted: Portrait of a 'policy-driven' bishop, June 3
- Shades of grey in a world of apparent absolutes, May 26
- Nun excommunicated for allowing abortion, May 18
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