Anchorage Archbishop Roger Schwietz has responded with a statement to the many people who have contacted the Archdiocese in response to news that a prominent abortion doctor in Alaska is maintaining his offices at Providence Alaska Medical Center, a Catholic hospital in Anchorage. Archbishop Schwietz and his staff have been working with the leadership of Providence Alaska Health System for an appropriate resolution to this issue.
The Sept. 16 statement from Archbishop Schwietz reads as follows:
“Archbishop Schwietz takes this troubling situation very seriously. He has been in dialogue with Providence leaders who do understand the gravity of this matter. The Archbishop continues to work with the leadership at Providence Alaska Medical Center to be certain that requirements for compliance with The Catholic Healthcare Directives are fully implemented and that Providence be a clear witness to Catholic values in all it does.”
As the result of a reorganization of its clinic the Alaska Women’s Health Clinic, PC was leased office space by Providence, a Catholic hospital that was established by the Sisters of Providence. Historically, Alaska Women’s Health, has provided abortions and one of its physicians, Jan Whitefield, has been both a provider of abortions and a vocal public advocate for the pro-choice position. While Alaska Women’s Health, as part of its lease agreement with Providence Alaska, agreed not to provide abortion services (or any ethically prohibited services) on the Providence premises the presence of this clinic is for many, including Archbishop Schwietz, a cause of grave concern.
Out of this concern Archbishop Schweitz has been working since early August with the leadership of Providence to rectify this situation. That process is continuing with Providence.
LifeNews.com Note: Joel Davidson is the editor of the Catholic Anchor, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska. This article originally appeared there and is reprinted with permission.
