Next FOT: Boston doctor fired for discussing health risks of homosexual behavior

This March a well-respected urologist, Dr. Paul Church was fired from the medical staff of Beth Isreal Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston because he voiced concerns to his colleagues and hospital staff about the unhealthy nature of homosexual behavior and objected to the hospital’s aggressive promotion of “gay pride” activities. 

Supporters of Dr. Church protect his firing

Dr. Church has been a urologist on the BIDMC staff for nearly 30 years. He is a member of the Harvard Medical School faculty and has done research on diagnosing prostate and bladder cancer, and has been a frequent volunteer for medical mission projects in Mexico and Africa. He has also spoken before educational and civic groups on the subject of high-risk sexual behaviors.

Through emails to hospital officials and later posting on the hospital’s Intranet system, Dr. Church cited irrefutable medical evidence that high-risk sexual practices common to the LGBT community lead to (among other things) a higher incidence of HIV/AIDS, STD's, hepatitis, parasitic infections, anal cancers, and psychiatric disorders.

 

Promoting such behavior, he said, is contrary to the higher mission of the healthcare facility to protect the public welfare and encourage healthy lifestyles.  Dr. Church also reminded the administration that its staff and employees represent a diversity of moral and religious views, and many believe that homosexuality is unnatural and immoral. 

The hospital did not at any time dispute the truth of his medical statements, nor did they address his other concerns.  They did not claim that Dr. Church ever discussed this with patients, or treated patients any differently if they were involved with these behaviors. You might remember a few weeks ago, the author of Making Gay Okay, Robert Reilly, raised the same questions on that week’s broadcast.  

Dr. Church’s appeal of his dismissal is now under consideration but he and his attorneys are under a court-ordered gag order to keep them from talking publically about the case. However, Dr. Church is being supported by a citizens’ organization, MassResistance, a pro-family activist organization that educates people to help them confront the attacks o n the traditional family, children, religion, and society. Sean Ryan, director of communications for MassResistance will join Deacon Mike Manno and Gina Noll this Tuesday on Faith On Trial to discuss this matter and its repercussions. 

 

In addition, our media critic, Todd Erzen, will make his monthly appearance to discuss how the media is covering these issues. 

Join Deacon Mike and Gina Tuesday morning at 9 (CDT) on Iowa Catholic Radio, 1150 AM; 88.5 & 94.5 FM and streaming on IowaCatholicRadio.com. The program will be re-broadcast at 9 p.m. 

Faith On Trial is underwritten by Attorney Rick McConville, 2100 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, 515-453-1055; Confluence Brewing, 1235 Thomas Beck Road, Des Moines; and Wealth Management Advisor Rob denHartog, 128^th & Hickman, 515-210-4472.