Religion & Law

We discussed the Phoenix abortion case in some detail back in May 2010. The recent developments are worth noting. Here and here. Bishop Olmsted has threatened to prohibit St. Joseph Hospital from calling itself a "Catholic" hospital after an abortion was performed at the hospital, and after the hospital has apparently refused to acknowledge Bishop Olmsted's teaching authority. The Bishop was apparently not thrilled that the hospital appealed to the moral authority of a theologian at Marquette (M. Therese Lysaught) who disagreed with the Bishop's analysis of the morality of the abortion. This measure (enforcing a type of truth in advertising) was much discussed during the debate over Ex Corde Ecclesiae, but I can't recall a case when this sort of sanction has been used with regard to a Catholic college or university.  

I wonder if this situation is causing any consternation among officials at Catholic colleges and universities. 

Richard M.