The Cathoholic

Haiti Earthquake--A Desperate Struggle at Hopital Sacre Coeur

During my week serving on a medical mission at Hopital Sacre Coeur in Milot, Haiti, I was inspired by the hard work, compassion and dedication of the Haitian and American physicians and nurses I got to know. And that was before the earthquake. Here's my story in the National Catholic Register about the first medical team to arrive at the hospital after the earthquake. As I report in this story, this small band of medical volunteers, with assistance from the hospital's Haitian staff, struggled mightily to meet the needs of a flood of earthquake victims, airlifted by helicopter from Port au Prince. The 74- bed facility is now serving 400 patients, with the assistance of a 90-member team of volunteers. This piece didn't talk about what local Haitians living near the hospital are doing to assist the earthquake victims. In fact, they have opened up their home--simple cinder block structures that would fit in many American living rooms, and taken in the relatives of patients who have no where to stay. Locals have also visited patients who don't have family members in the area, feeding, caringn for them and praying with them.

Haitian Orphans

The National Catholic Register asked me to report on the status quo for Haitian orphans and adoptions in the wake of the earthquake. I was impressed with what the Archdiocese of Miami's Catholic Legal Services proposed. But fears of trafficking in orphans, whether for unauthorized adoptions or for something more sinister are understandable. Both the Haitian and U.S. governments are insisting on properly vetted paperwork. That caution appears understandable in light of recent headlines. But it's  frustrating for people who worry about the survival of thousands of children that have lost their parents in the earthquake. One friend who just returned from Port-au-Prince wrote that "normally the media exaggerates a crisis, but that's not true in the case of Haiti."

Update: The USCCB just issued a statement urging the U.S. government and international agencies to guard against unauthorized persons taking charge of Haitian children. The USCCB said that "family reunification" should be thoroughly explored before considering international placements.

Healthcare Reform and Abortion: Risks Remain

President Obama gave his State of the Union address today, and told Capital Hill, "Do not walk away from [healthcare] reform." Today, the National Catholic Register posted my story about the future of health care reform and the possibility that the Democratic leadership will still try to include a mandate for federal funding of abortion in any final bill. Doug Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee believes that pro-lifers must stay vigilant, as Democrats look at a variety of legislative options, from reconciliation to a series of small bills that might include abortion provisions.

Brown Victory Cheers Catholic Pro-lifers

Last night's  Republican victory in Massachusetts' special election has thrilled pro-lifers worried about the effort to mandate federal funding of abortion through the passage of Obamacare. Here's my exclusive for the National Catholic Register that offers the Catholic, pro-life angle on Brown's sudden surge of support.

Update: Here's Phil Lawler's excellent analysis of the Scott Brown victory and what it means for the future of Democratic politics in the Bay State.d

Hospital Sacre Coeur, Haiti

I'm glad to hear that Hospital Sacre Coeur in Milot, Haiti has begun to receive earthquake victims. Still, it's still frustrating to learn that while the hospital could accommodate an influx of at least 100 patients, just a few have been able to reach the hospital from Port-au-Prince. Project Hope has brought a few people by helicopter. The situation is likely to change in the days ahead, but vital time is passing for treating the most serious injuries. If you want to know what it's like to work on a medical mission in Haiti, read my commentary on The Catholic Thing posted today.Please consider making a donation to Crudem.

Here's an update on the situation on the ground from Crudem:

"Basically the situation right now is that thousands of quake SURVIVORS are dying in Port au Prince on the streets and in the hospitals because of a lack of medical care.  We have a fully operational hospital with medical trauma teams, orthopedics, Haitian doctors and nurses all anxiously waiting to receive at least 100 patients immediately. The surgeons are willing to work 24/7 and we have the medicine and the supplies. But the patients are not reaching us.  We received only 4 today in 2 chopper flights. Only one team of USCG TAHOMA have been working with us, where are the other helicopters?  We have been in contact with several organizations on the ground in Port au Prince that are desperately trying to get patients to us but they can't find access to helicopters.  There is a safe landing site next to the hospital, the ambulance is waiting, and we don't need to be contacted in advance. Could you please help us spread the word.  Lives are being lost as we speak."  

Haiti Earthquake, the Church, and the Crudem Foundation

I returned from Haiti just three days before the devastating earthquake decimated the nation's capital, Port-au-Prince. I was part of a medical mission based at Hospital Sacre Coeur, founded by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, Montreal Province, in 1986 and supported by the Massachusetts-based Crudem Foundation.

Since the quake, I've written an article for the National Catholic Register that addresses the scope of the devastation and the church's task ahead. I posted on National Review Online, as well, letting readers know about Crudem and its work. I will post more in the days ahead. Let us be united in prayer and assistance for the people of Haiti.

D.C. Same-Sex Marriage Vote & Religious Freedom

In the wake of the D.C. City Council vote approving legal same-sex marriage, the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. is poised to make a drastic retreat from its work with the needy. Why? Because the proposed law, which must still be approved by Congress, provides a narrow exemption for church-run social agencies. Archbishop Wuerl has refused to provide benefits to spouses in same-sex unions and he will not approve the placement of children with same-sex couples.

The archbishop has been criticized by gay rights activists, but also by some local Catholics who argue that he should adopt the "San Francisco option," and simply provide benefits to some other individual residing in an employee's household. Wuerl, however, does not believe this is an acceptable solution. Check out my article on this breaking news in the National Catholic Register.

Sen. Ben Nelson, Abortion and Health Care Reform

We hoped he would hold the fort, but Sen. Ben Nelson didn't follow Rep. Bart Stupak's inspiring lead. Here's an incisive analysis in The Weekly Standard on what went wrong (for the pro-life movement, at least).

Bishop Kevin Rhoades Headed for Notre Dame

Earlier this month, I interviewed Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Harrisburg, PA, who will soon be installed as the Catholic ordinary of Fort-Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, home of Notre Dame University. The bishop is clearly prepared to set a high standard for Catholic institutions of higher learning.

During our interview, published in the National Catholic Register, he affirmed his commitment to the full implementation of  Ex Corde Ecclesiae, Pope John Paul II's groundbreaking document that set forth the proper mission and religious identity for Catholic colleges and universities. Bishop Rhoades told me:

"According to Ex Corde Ecclesiae, the bishop has the responsibility “to promote and assist in the preservation and strengthening of their Catholic identity.” I believe this is a serious responsibility. As Pope John Paul II stated: Bishops “should be seen not as external agents but as participants in the life of the Catholic university.” I am really looking forward to participating in the life of the University of Notre Dame and in the lives of the other Catholic colleges of my new diocese."

I asked him about the substance of a closed-door meeting on Catholic universities, conducted during the U.S.bishops' semi-annual meeting in Baltimore this November. He responded,

"I do not think it would be appropriate for me to discuss the private conversation during the executive session of the fall meeting of the USCCB. I will say, however, that the bishops are committed to the full implementation of Ex Corde Ecclesiae, an important document which provides excellent guidance for the Church and Catholic universities and colleges for the future. It must not be a document consigned to a bookshelf, but one which inspires and challenges us to strengthen the Catholic identity and mission of our Catholic universities and colleges. Nearly 20 years since its promulgation, Ex Corde Ecclesiae continues to have great relevance."

The Making of Americans by E.D. Hirsch

I've been a big fan of E.D. Hirsch for a long time, ever since I read Cultural Literacy, his breakthrough bestseller that explained the consequences of the collapse in America's transmission of cultural knowledge from our parents' generation to our's (fifty somethings, etc). I recently reviewed Hirsch's new book, The Making of Americans for The Weekly Standard. Anyone interested in school reform, or just in improving their child's capacity for embracing the vast world of knowledge gained through reading should check this out.