Ex-communication of Catholic health care administrative nun who conceded to recommended abortion

The assertive powers of the Catholic Church can be intimidating and controversial. Moral ethics changed since the 1950s are still applicable today.

Australia has a sizeable Catholic population but it is probably less controversial. My friends who follow the Catholic faith are more open minded and less dogmatic about grey areas in real life issues.

Medical personnel, ethicists and senior administrators at the hospital have unanimously assessed that an abortion was necessary and justifiable to save the life of the mother. The fate of the Sister who dedicated her life serving her parishioners and patients evoke disconcerthing thoughts.

Excerpts from the media :

Quote : [ The pregnant woman and her family were also consulted and agreed that a termination would be the best option. Sister Margaret's role was apparently to give the theological perspective.

A dogmatically pro-life figure, Olmsted had made himself something of a hero to the US anti-abortion movement.


Historian Jacob M Appel described Olmsted as having a "reputation as a particularly cold-hearted and intransigent figure" who had "gained notoriety for refusing communion to a 10-year-old autistic child who could not swallow". He added, "Thanks to men like Mr Olmsted, obtaining obstetric care at a Catholic hospital has become a dangerous game of Russian roulette."
The Reverend Thomas Doyle, a canon lawyer, said last week that the bishop "clearly had other alternatives than to declare her excommunicated". Doyle said that Olmsted could have shown her some mercy. He added that this case highlighted a "gross inequity" in how the Church chose to handle scandal.

McBride's support in the community is perhaps to be expected. An Irish-American, she achieved a bachelor's degree in Nursing and a Master's in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco, in addition to her religious training.


As a senior hospital administrator in a part of the US with more than its share of illegal immigrants, she was no stranger to making difficult, controversial choices. According to the New York Times, St Joseph's focuses on keeping down the cost of the uninsured and repatriates about eight uninsured patients per month. ]

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/irish-nun-pays-ultimate-price-for-defying-bishop-in-abortion-case-2200425.html



Quote : [ The Bishop of Phoenix has announced that a Catholic nun and administrator of St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix has "automatically excommunicated herself" by approving an abortion on a woman who was 11-weeks pregnant, and whose life hospital officials allege they were trying to save.

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted said the excommunications apply to all involved, and lambasted the hospital's defense. ]

http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=36604


Quote : [ One of the doctors said that four young women who decided to carry their pregnancies to term (despite my recommendation for termination); they all died either during pregnancy, delivery or within the postpartum period.

Sister Margaret was forced to choose between saving the life of a young mother of four and her faith.

- Robyn J. BarstScarsdale, N.Y., May 28, 2010
The writer is professor emeritus at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. ]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/30/opinion/lweb30kristof.html

The new French gastro kid of the block in Sydney North Shore - Ad Lib

Ad Lib - French cuisine with modern Australian interpretation. Overall good but lacks a little warmth of French culinary art. That's my personal view. The pricing expectedly goes to paying for the attentive wait staff and skilled chefs.

Goat cheese omelettee

Cured Sea Scallops

Duck Comfit wrapped in crispy pastry with lentils. I would much prefer the traditional duck confit slow baked over days - juicy and crispy.

Voted the best dish of the evening. Signature pork belly that is crispy and melts in the mouth. Yummy with the tangy sauce.

The steak tartare was a surprise to say the least. Chopped rare beef, just like the way the legendary warriors used to prepare it?

The dessert was too delicious and were finished even before the ph0tographer could get the camera ready to snap any shots.
Overall rating. The highly publicised sampling menu may be worth a try?

- Copyright Reserved

Corporeal - real or imagined human and things

Definition of Corporeal according to the online dictionary :

1. of the nature of the physical body; bodily.
2. material; tangible: corporeal property.

In the legal context, we often distinguish between corporeal (flesh and blood) and the artificial entity of the company. The company has the benefit of protection undert the corporate veil. But ultimately, its directors (real people) are responsible if they mismange or engage in fraudulent activities. The rich and unconscionable bankers and industrialists may have to face the realities if the law catches up with them, some day.


In the cyber world, we encounter virtual peoples behind masks, if any skeletons in the closets, they will be discovered over a long time or never. The safety behind the monitor may guard against physical attacks but it does not stop cyber bullies from inflicting pain or declared altruistic philosophers who wish to change the world but injure others in the process. Take care.