Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Feds Tell Catholic Hospital to Blow Out Sanctuary Candle or Face Penalties
Becket ^ | 5/3/23 | Ryan Colby

Posted on 05/03/2023 7:21:06 PM PDT by marshmallow

Saint Francis Health System in Oklahoma told to remove chapel candle or stop serving those in need

WASHINGTON – The federal government recently told a Catholic hospital in Oklahoma to either blow out a small candle or stop serving elderly, disabled, and low-income patients. Saint Francis Health System, the twelfth largest hospital in the nation, keeps, with many prudent safeguards, a sacred candle always lit inside its hospital chapels, in accordance with its Catholic faith. After a hospital inspection in February, the government said a single candle was too dangerous and now threatens to strip the hospital of the ability to accept Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP if it does not extinguish the flame. Becket sent a letter to the Biden administration reminding it that Saint Francis has the right to religious freedom and warning federal bureaucrats to leave the candle alone.

Saint Francis Health System is a premiere health system with five hospitals in Eastern Oklahoma. The health system cares for nearly 400,000 patients each year, has given away more than $650 million dollars in free medical care in the past five years, and employs more than 11,000 Oklahomans. Saint Francis’s mission is to extend the presence and healing ministry of Christ. In addition to providing compassionate and top-notch care to its patients, Saint Francis lives out its religious mission by maintaining multiple chapels throughout its hospitals, each of which has been blessed by the local Bishop.

Since Saint Francis opened its doors in 1960, the health system has had a sanctuary candle with a living flame as an act of worship. The flame, far removed from medical equipment and patients, is shielded by two glass holders, sits on a brass basin, is affixed to a wall and has a brass top covering it, with many sprinkler heads above......

(Excerpt) Read more at becketlaw.org ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-34 next last

1 posted on 05/03/2023 7:21:06 PM PDT by marshmallow
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: marshmallow

This is what a collapsing failed state/society look like.


2 posted on 05/03/2023 7:29:41 PM PDT by Trumpisourlastchance
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow

Maybe the Catholic Church should grow a set and tell em to pound!


3 posted on 05/03/2023 7:31:21 PM PDT by bantam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bantam

Amen!

And refuse service to the inspectors


4 posted on 05/03/2023 7:37:35 PM PDT by Fai Mao (Starve the beast and steal its food!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow

The locals should stand a vigil 24/7 to keep the flame burning. Shoulder to shoulder ten deep if they have to. Send a message.


5 posted on 05/03/2023 7:38:39 PM PDT by blackdog ((Z28.310) We're all Women now.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bantam

If anyone will, this is likely to be the group that does it.

The Sisters are pretty hard core and not to be messed with. Perhaps my brightest student ever joined them a few years ago—she is following in the path of an older sister of hers who joined after becoming a full-blown M.D.


6 posted on 05/03/2023 7:41:06 PM PDT by Hieronymus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow

Covid mandates encourage the federales to think the masses will comply with anything they command. A different God. Don’t worship it. It’s evil.


7 posted on 05/03/2023 7:41:09 PM PDT by blackdog ((Z28.310) We're all Women now.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow

Sounds like the candle works to expel evil spirits.


8 posted on 05/03/2023 7:48:00 PM PDT by Jewbacca (The residents of Iroquois territory may not determine whether Jews may live in Jerusalem.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Trumpisourlastchance
A “religious” institution taking money from Caesar to carry out its mission is a recipe for disaster.

The hospital should reject any government money — period. If it can’t stay open without it, then it should close its doors.

9 posted on 05/03/2023 7:48:40 PM PDT by Alberta's Child ("I've just pissed in my pants and nobody can do anything about it." -- Major Fambrough)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow

The Catholic hospitals I have been in have the Angelus prayed over the sound system, for one and all to hear. I wonder if the federal thugs have a problem with that too?


10 posted on 05/03/2023 7:51:11 PM PDT by Southside_Chicago_Republican (The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow

The hospital has been burning such a candle since it opened in 1960, and not once, has the candle turned the hospital into a gigantic, flaming inferno. Now, all of a sudden it’s a problem? Hmmm. Says who?


11 posted on 05/03/2023 7:53:24 PM PDT by lee martell
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow

That tiny flame hanging on the wall in photo in this article?


12 posted on 05/03/2023 7:54:59 PM PDT by TornadoAlley3 ( I'm Proud To Be An Okie From Muskogee)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Trumpisourlastchance
This is what a collapsing failed state/society look like.

It does indeed. Fear and bureaucratic tyranny are everywhere.

And this is where a brave person takes a stand and says "NO" and publicly dares them to shut the hospital.

13 posted on 05/03/2023 7:56:15 PM PDT by PGR88
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow
If I understand this correctly, the light is representation of God's presence in His sanctuary; to put out the candle is a profanation.

I Would Die For This

14 posted on 05/03/2023 8:11:45 PM PDT by chajin ("There is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All
Cecil De Demille had a prologue before the epic The Ten Commandments in which the question was asked whether men should be ruled by Gods Law or by the whims of a dictator like Ramses Biden. Watch the 1956 movie for the answer.
15 posted on 05/03/2023 8:17:21 PM PDT by BipolarBob (I was going to start procrastinating this year, I just haven't got around to it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jewbacca
Sounds like the candle works to
expel evil spirits.


Not specifically for that purpose...
but yes... evil would stay away...

The Sanctuary "lamp" is a carryover tradition from the Jews,
where God commanded the Israelites in Exodus to do this.
The purpose was to show that God is with them,
and that they would keep this light for generations to come .
And, so the Incarnation of Emmanuel,
in the Body and Blood of Christ,
a light should always burn to comfort us, to this very day.
(And so, I would think then, those evil spirits would stay clear.)

Ex 27
20 “And you shall command the people of Israel
that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light,
that a lamp may be set up to burn continually.


16 posted on 05/03/2023 8:22:42 PM PDT by MurphsLaw (" Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me - will also do the works that I do; ....")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow
If you want federal dollars, you will be required to abide by their rules. This will be an ongoing problem!

Although this post is about a candle, a small thing, it points out the larger problem in that we have a government that imposes itself with impunity whenever it chooses. Eg., treatment of J6 prisoners, persecution of Christians and conservatives in government and institutions, etc.

It shouldn't surprise anyone that the godless and immoral laws our government embraces will be forced on any institution or person receiving government $$ or benefit. This is the real problem that we're seeing! The candle issue is a microcosm.

God fearing Americans with Judeo-Christian morality continue to be subjugated by godless anti-Christian laws.

This must change!

17 posted on 05/03/2023 8:35:45 PM PDT by JesusIsLord
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Trumpisourlastchance

It’s what a people under assault from its government looks like.

I know the black pill is so very appealing but … the left media runs propaganda to discourage us (make us feel like outliers) while the alt media runs scare propaganda to demoralize us. Ok, maybe these have good intent and want to rally good folk to the defense, but you rarely see articles touting the many local and state MAGA victories.


18 posted on 05/03/2023 8:36:52 PM PDT by No.6
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow
Since Saint Francis opened its doors in 1960, the health system has had a sanctuary candle with a living flame as an act of worship. The flame, far removed from medical equipment and patients, is shielded by two glass holders, sits on a brass basin, is affixed to a wall and has a brass top covering it, with many sprinkler heads above it. For Catholics, the living flame is a sign of the living presence of Jesus. The federal government now threatens to tell all patients who rely on Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP that they can no longer receive care at Saint Francis—all over a candle.

The FedMob is pure evil.

19 posted on 05/03/2023 9:35:59 PM PDT by TigersEye (Woke is a cancer of the mind and humanity)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow

I also heard they used a black pen to fill out government forms..... everyone knows the law requires a blue pen..... unless it a conservative voter....


20 posted on 05/03/2023 10:19:15 PM PDT by Lockbox (politicians, they all seemed like game show hosts to me.... Sting)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-34 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson