In opposition to long-established church teaching, Anchorage’s prominent Catholic hospital is actively encouraging Alaskans to celebrate homosexual, transgender and other LGBTQ sexual identities and expressions during June.

A recent social media post from Providence Alaska Medical Center features a large LGBTQ rainbow flag and calls on Alaskans to join the historically Catholic institution in “celebrating #Pride Month.”

The annual, month-long observance celebrates the history, culture, and sexuality of those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer, among other sexual identities.

While Providence continues to advertise its historic ties to the Catholic faith and still has permission from Archbishop Andrew Bellisario to maintain a Catholic chapel with daily Mass, the institution has largely deviated from its Christian roots. Founded by the Sisters of Providence to serve the medical needs of Alaskans, the hospital now openly flaunts Catholic moral and ethical teachings surrounding human sexuality and reproduction.

In contradiction to clear instructions from the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops regarding the prohibition against cross-sex hormones and transgender surgeries, Providence continues to promote and dispense cross-sex hormones for patients who wish to reshape their bodies to appear as the opposite sex.

A Catholic bishop has the authority to demand that hospitals in their diocese stop identifying or advertising themselves as “Catholic” if they contradict core church teachings. This stems from the structure of Catholic ecclesiology and canon law, wherein diocesan bishops serve as the chief pastors and teachers in their regional territory, with responsibility for safeguarding the church’s doctrinal, moral, and sacramental integrity – including institutions operating under the Catholic name.

According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ latest edition of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services a bishop should ensure the “moral and religious identity” of Catholic health care ministries in his diocese.

Catholic health institutions, such as Providence, must adhere to core Catholic values as a condition of their identity. Non-compliance risks formal separation from the Church’s ministry.

TAKING ACTION

— Click here to contact Archbishop Andrew Bellisario and other key leaders in the Anchorage-Juneau Archdiocese to respectfully express your opinion.

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