Catholic Bioethics Seminar--February 2006

 

Murray Baker Bridge, Peoria (December 27, 2020)

Monday, February 06, 2006

Catholic Bioethics Seminar

On Saturday, February 4, 2006, a Catholic Bioethics Seminar was held at St. Sharbel’s Church in Peoria. The keynote speakers were Father Michael Bliss, Dr. Gerald McShane, and Joe Piccione.

Father Bliss is OSF’s chaplain and a member of the ethics committee at OSF. Dr. McShane is employed at OSF Corporate and is Chair of OSF Ethics Committee. Joe Piccione is the OSF Corporate Ethicist, a lawyer, and a philosopher.

Father Bliss gave the first talk. His comments included that “medical ethics is doing good for people in a good way,” “we need to recognize the patient’s dignity and realize the greatest good for the patient,” and that oral contraceptives can, at times, “bring about death.” Father held up a pamphlet describing the Ethical and Religious Directives of the Catholic bishops in the United States and stated it was very good and easy to read. I happened to have my own copy with me at the seminar.

When Father was done speaking, he asked if there were any questions from the audience. I raised my hand and stated that Haitian Hearts had buried a Jackson Jean-Baptiste one week prio. I explained that he had been refused by OSF for repeat heart surgery, and I wanted to know why and how we can avoid this “problem” in the future. Well, Father Bliss would have none of this and cut me off mid-question and stated that he would not answer my questions and had no comments. I told him that I thought it was his responsibility to tell the public why OSF had abandoned this young Haitian man. He said “no further comment” and that Bishop Jenky had dealt with this problem in the past. That was it. He obviously did not want the crowd to hear my questions or comments and what was he going to say that could possibly defend OSF’s actions which went against the healthcare ethical directives of the US bishops. Father Bliss was in a losing position and he knew it.

The next speaker was Dr. McShane. He gave a talk on doctor-patient relationships and said that this relationship is fundamental. He had a nice but very simple handout. Compassion and caring is key. He referred to himself as a good physician. His handout referred to the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of the patient. And halfway through his presentation, Dr. McShane stated, “John Carroll will probably have some questions for me”.

When Dr. McShane was done with his pitch, he asked if there were questions and looked at me. I again raised my hand and told him that his words were beautiful but that OSF had acted the opposite with regards to Jackson and I wanted to know why. To my surprise, Dr. McShane stated that he would not answer my question. He told the crowd that I was bringing up this topic “every six months”. 

There was a panel discussion that followed and a question was asked regarding birth control pills being prescribed by a Catholic medical center. Dr. McShane stated that it would be “sinful” to use the pill as an oral contraceptive. Joe Piccione shook his head in agreement. 

At that point, I asked why Joe Piccione had come to Peoria in 1993 to help establish a protocol so OSF physicians and the OSF Health Plan could offer oral contraceptives and sterilization. I had the newspaper article in my hand that described what Piccione and our previous bishop (Bishop John Meyers) and the OSF Sisters had developed in the 90s regarding oral contraceptives and sterilization. Piccione answered me and tried to defend his actions and stated that Bishop Meyers agreed with him as does Bishop Jenky and actually Pope Benedict would be in agreement with OSF’s stand on birth control pills, as well. Piccione was really reaching when he said that the Pope would be in agreement. I asked Joe if it was about money and he replied “no”, however, I held up the PJS article where he was quoted about the need for OSF physicians to be able to prescribe oral contraceptives if OSF was to stay competitive in the health care field. Joe seemed to be at conflict with his statements a decade before. At that point, the priest who was moderator became quite angry with me and told me that I could not ask any more questions. 

So that was that. I thought this bioethics seminar was very elementary and misleading to the public and that some of the crowd must have left confused. I am also sure that most people there would have sided with the speakers because my questions and comments were pointing out things that the crowd wouldn’t think were possible at OSF with the Bishop and even the Pope allegedly supporting. Good people, like those in the crowd at St. Sharbel’s, want to believe that their Catholic leaders are leading them in the correct moral direction. This situation is such a shame and emblematic of the horrible situation in which the Catholic Church in the US finds itself today.

Comments--

• This was so difficult arguing in a public meeting with these men who had been colleagues and friends for so many years.  
• I had picketed OSF in front of the medical center in January 2003 for their abandonment of Haitian children who needed heart surgery. I really disliked doing that, too. Five thousand friends of mine worked inside the building and I had worked at OSF during four different decades. 
• The Peoria business community had to decide who to support --Haitian kids or OSF, the second largest employer in the Peoria area. It was an easy decison.