DANBURY - Noted Moral Theologian and Ethicist,
Father J. Daniel Mindling, O.F.M, Cap., will discuss the
ethical issues surrounding the "Plan B" controversy at
a breakfast following the 15th annual "White Mass" of
the Diocese of Bridgeport on Sunday, February 24,
at 9 a.m. at Saint Joseph Parish, 8 Robinson Avenue,
Danbury.
Bishop William E. Lori will be the celebrant and homilist
for the annual Mass which recognizes the contributions
of Catholic physicians, nurses, dentists and other health
care professionals in Fairfield County. Breakfast will
follow at the Ethan Allen Inn in Danbury.
"We welcome Father Mindling's talk on a topic of great
concern to so many," says Bishop Lori. "With his knowledge,
grace, and good humor, but most importantly with fidelity
to Church teachings as well as considerable experience
as a hospital ethicist, Father Minding will help us understand
the care and medical treatment to be offered to victims
of sexual assault."
Father Mindling, who serves as a consultant on medical
and ethical issues for the Catholic Conferences of Maryland
and Pennsylvania, will explore the medical and ethical
issues surrounding Plan B and the new Connecticut law
requiring all hospitals to offer emergency contraception
to rape victims.
Current
Law is Seriously Flawed
Catholic moral teaching is adamantly opposed to abortion,
but not to emergency contraception for victims of rape.
However, the bishops and other Catholic health care leaders
believe that the new law is seriously flawed because it
does not allow medical professionals to take into account
the results of an ovulation test.
"The distinction between ovulation and fertilization
is monumental in making a prudential judgment about the
use of Plan B," Father Mindling explains. "If
fertilization already has occurred, Catholic hospitals
view themselves as treating not one patient, but two:
the woman and her newly-conceived child. Emergency contraception
would cause the death of one of those patients."
Father Mindling has been a Capuchin Franciscan since
1973. He holds a master's degree in theology from the
Washington Theological Union, and a licentiate and doctorate
in moral theology from the Lateran University. Since 1988,
Father Mindling has served as professor of moral theology
at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD, where
he was appointed academic dean in 1993.
Defending the Vulnerable
With 20 years of his priesthood as a clinical consultant,
Father Mindling deeply respects the commitment and day-to-day
experience of health care workers. He also feels he has
something important to bring to the table as an ethicist
and moral theologian.
"Just war, capital punishment, abortion, euthanasia
-- all of these issues capture our moral imagination with
varying degrees of urgency," observes Father Mindling.
"Each of us has different touch points of moral indignation."
"At the same time," he continues, "we
have to talk about the Church's central preference for
the defense of the vulnerable, people who have no voice
to speak in their own defense. Jesus has a clear preference
for the most vulnerable. It's difficult to think of anyone
more vulnerable than someone attacked by his or her own
mother."
All are Welcome to Attend; RSVP
required for Breakfast
Invitations to the White Mass have been mailed to members
of the health care profession throughout the diocese.
All are welcome to attend the White Mass at Saint Joseph
Parish, but tickets are required for the Ethan Allen Inn
breakfast. Cost: $25; seating limited.
To download a reservation card and directions in Microsoft
Word, click
here.
RSVP by Wednesday, February 13 to Donna Schmidt:
416-1457, or e-mail dschmidt@diobpt.org.
-30-