The story fails to mention that Holy Cross is using public land on a college campus for its surprise proposal. That is why there is so much opposition. (Plus, it would create a traffic nightmare for the area.) The other proposal offers a full range of services and has been planned for years. Holy Cross has a well respected facility in Silver Spring on private land where it also plans to expand. It should stay there.

See what pro choicers do? They are intolerant of other opinions, and want to stop anyone who does not agree with them 100% from doing ANYTHING.

If Holy Cross wants to have babies born in their hospital instead of cutting them into small pieces or sucking them out with some device, I say let them. Thanks.

Indeed, there should be a full range of reproductive health services in every hospital---the expansion of Catholic hospital empires, should be nipped in the bud. They are no more than proxies for the Vatican; not true health care providers for women of all stripes and persuasions. They strut their stifling religious dogmas, do not offer contraceptive advice, or abortion services, even for women who have been raped, and they are in the business of birthing babies galore though the world already bursts at the seams with untended babies. This church is a misogynistic reproductive despot and deserves nothing more than contempt for its brazen attempts to enforce its edicts through its so called charities and non profit ventures.
Ravensfan's anon

Anonymous – You’re starting to sound as paranoid as Robert. That little rant had all the anger and intolerance of one of his outbursts. Did you ever stop to consider what happens if we shut down all those Catholic hospitals? I’m sure that will do wonders for the availability and cost of health care.

As usual Ravensfan you don't address even one of the points I raise; instead you glibly point out the negative in the situation. What will happen if the Catholic hospitals, all shut down? The other hospitals will be socked in the rear end initially, then more will move in to fill the vacuum. Also if Catholic hospitals, all left the landscape, there will be less unwanted babies in the world. Nobody is entirely indispensable Ravensfan. The point here is that the Catholic hospitals deprive women of the reproductive age group a full panoply of reproductive services for no more than dogma and if that is the one and only hospital accessible to poor women, in a particular neighborhood, who are seeking contraceptive counseling or other services anathema to the church, then the women are stuck--for those women the Catholic hospital is not a provider of services but a hindrance to get the kind of services they want. Stop being an apologist for the Catholic church Ravensfan--it does not become your intelligence.
Ravesfan anon

As usual Ravensfan you don't address even one of the points I raise; instead you glibly point out the negative in the situation. What will happen if Catholic hospitals, all shut down? The other hospitals will be socked in the rear end initially, then they will move in to fill the vacuum. Also if Catholic hospitals, all left the landscape, there will be less unwanted babies in the world. Nobody is entirely indispensable Ravensfan. The point here is that Catholic hospitals, in the name of dogma, deprive women of a full panoply of reproductive advice and options and if they are the one and only hospitals, accessible to poor women, in particular neighborhoods, then the women are stuck--for them Catholic hospitals are not providers of good medical care but instead a hindrance to getting the kind of care they want, especially if they looking for contraception or abortion. Stop being an apologist for the Catholic church Ravensfan--it does not become your intelligence.
Ravesfan anon

Anonymous – Had you actually raised any points I would have addressed them. All you did was give your opinion on what hospitals should be required to provide. Other than that the rest was a maniacal rant not worthy of any comment. I don’t recall saying anything or anyone was indispensable simply pointing out what you admitted. Is there a law that requires ALL hospitals to provide those services? If not then it should be used as a benchmark to determine who builds any hospital. While I appreciate your concern for my intelligence yours is really the one you should worry about. Rants like that first one with its hate ridden attacks on an organization you happen to disagree with is hardly the sign of any real intelligence. Keep in mind that while I struggle with some of it’s teachings, and acknowledge it’s past wrongs I am a Catholic so don’t expect me to be silent when someone makes ridiculous or inaccurate accusations or simply maligns the Church because the don’t agree with it.
ravensfan

I actually think you are very smart Ravensfan--it is not just hospitals, but now pharmacists are refusing to dispense morning after pills based on private and religious beliefs. All of these activities are decidedly against the reproductive freedoms of women and are subconscious modes of going back to medieval times when women were chattels and men ruled. An enlightened man like yourself falling for Catholic doctrines, is a pity Ravensfan because you don't sound like you want to control anyone. The sanctimony of the Catholic church in the face of all the outrages committed within its precincts is deplorable. Well, there is a price to pay--bankruptcy is going to swallow the diocese of Delaware. The Catholic church is an anachronism--it will self destruct but will ruin many lives on its way to this unintended goal. Talk to the women of Ireland--they will tell how they have suffered due to the Catholic church's stand on abortion, divorce, and contraception. The church is shrouded in the vale of tears of the women it has fettered and tortured. Should there be a law against the so called conscience clause which has hobbled the dispensation of reproductive advice and medications? Yes, those who don't accept the secular practice of Medicine should be forced out. And that day is not far off.
Ravensfan's Anon.

Anon – You complain about the Church forcing it’s views on women then go on to suggest that your view should be forced on Catholics. You will excuse me if I find that hypocritical. First lets clear the air on the subject of reproductive freedom. That is a made up term by abortionist because it sounds better than the reality of terminating an unborn infant or fetus or whatever term you want to use. Next there’s a little thing called the first amendment which guarantees free exercise of religion. If you could provide compelling evidence that somehow some pharmacists refusing to dispense morning after pills was creating a major hardship you might have enough of a legal argument to merit some sort of limitations placed on pharmacists exercise of their religion. In the end it’s you looking for control not me. You are the one advocating eliminating a persons right of choice in favor of your own beliefs. I’m not the one saying that anyone should be required to do or not do either. Those who wish to should have it available and those who don’t wish to provide such products or services should also have that right respected. No need lecture me on the Catholic Church as I doubt you could tell me anything I don’t already know. Might I suggest you to go out and talk to the many women who had abortions only later to feel severe guilt and regret over that decision. Maybe you could talk to Norma McCorvey (Jane Roe – Roe v Wade) who now has a much different view on abortion.
ravensfan

In this country just as you have the right to seek service so do other people have the right to refuse service. To force a service against ones will is a form of slavery.

Nice blog as for me. I'd like to read something more about that matter.