That's very strange biblexaminer. I've been involved in a number of hospital situations and none of them worked that way. The HLC is only called in if there's some kind of problem and the individual or locals can't deal with it.
NEW LAW IN CANADA FOR CLERGY VISITS
by biblexaminer 26 Replies latest jw friends
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outnfree
Hi, there, BibleEx!
I am sorry that you supposed that because I and many others did not reply to this thread that we thought it unimportant. I found it quite interesting, and thought at the time that I would like to read the article. But you didn't reference the newspaper until just now, and by STAR, I'm ASSuming you mean The Toronto Star? I have been searching online for the article without success. Would you mind terribly posting the exact title of the piece? I will then post the link if I can find it.
I found your account of how the "elders" go to the "clergy" room -- but there IS no CLERGY class!!!! -- interesting. I've always wondered if JW elders took advantage of parking in the spots reserved for clergy. I know that as a JW 'minister' I, myself, often was tempted to do so! (Usually when the lot was quite full .)
Keep up the good work, BE! I look forward to hearing your update after you speak with the reporter.
outnfree
Par dessus toutes choses, soyez bons. La bonte est ce qui ressemble le plus a Dieu et ce qui desarme le plus les hommes -- Lacordaire
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Pathofthorns
Pork Chop is right from what I have seen as well. The visits are generally very casual to provide encouragement to the patient. Sometimes patients need things which they also get for them. The intent is not to find any who are trying to break their rules on blood.
You seem to forget that outside of emergency situations, most Witnesses in a hospital are able to be treated without blood and have exercised their right to CHOOSE such non-blood treatment. The HLC is generally involved at the REQUEST of the Witness patient where local elders cannot handle the situation or in situations involving minors.
Listing your religious affiliation on the patient lists has always been voluntary. If you don't wish to be visited, you don't need to list your religion. If you thought a blood transfusion might necessary, then why would you list your religion on the patient list?
This law extends a patient's privacy a little further, but won't change things to the degree you are implying.
IMO this is probably the closest thing that a handful of elders do in a city that remotely resembles caring for the sick. For the most part, intentions are genuine and sincere.
A bad blood policy and the hospital visitation program are for the most part two separate issues.
Path
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hawkaw
bx,
Lets talk about both stars in Canada seeing I know a few of the reporters at the big one.
Tell me what the reporter would like to do as a story and then maybe get him to get a hold of me.
hawk
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Pathofthorns
An article in the Star on the blood policy would certainly be interesting.
Perhaps focussing on the fact that people have written into Bethel for clarification and direction with regard to their blood policy and have either recieved no reply or an inadequate one.
Requiring people who wish to remain Witnesses in good standing to refuse treatment, without explaining inconsistencies in their reasons for forbidding such is morally wrong. To say "we do not discourage sincere or well meaning questions" but then to not answer them when asked is dishonest.
The Society claims that refusing blood is a personal choice each member has made, but then fail to provide ALL the facts so that choice is an informed one. They also make no provision for the possibility that the Scriptures could allow one to accept a blood transfusion and still respect God's law on blood.
I would love to see an article that presents this issue clearly and concisely without any sensationalism or inaccurate statements. This is one issue that needs to be pressed. People are dying.
Path
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hawkaw
Unfortunately, I have not been able to find a copy of the article mentioned by bx on the internet.
However, I do have a copy of the article in my hands.
No I did not drive 6 hours to Windsor to get the article. Some one, very nice and who cares about this board, gave me the article. To protect the individual, I will not divulge the person's name, web name or anything else about the person who gave me a copy of the article.
However, we both agree that you people should see it.
Here is the article as published in the Windsor Star located in Windsor, Ontario, Canada (across the river from Detroit Michigan)on Friday, September 7, 2001, page A6.
Clergy Denied Patient Lists
THE CANADIAN PRESS
SAULT STE MARIE, ONT.Clergy will no longer be allowed to go through patient lists at city hospitals to see if any of their parishioners have been admitted.
A draft visitation policy would provide churches with identities of patients requesting visits from their respective clergy - but not from a front desk list.
Instead, the hospital’s pastoral care department will contact the churches with information supplied upon admission when patients are asked if they desire such visits.
The new policy ensures patient confidentiality, some thing that was not protected when clergy were privy to patient lists, said Brady Irwin, spokesman for Sault Area Hospitals.
For the record, It is my opinion that this is a policy done at the Sault Ste. Marie Hospitals in Ontario only. Sault Ste. Marie is a small (80,000 people) Canadian steel and lumber city located where Lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior join together.
This policy appears to be required under privacy right laws in Canada. I am unclear if other hospitals have the same policy or not at this time.
But this story was published by the Canadian Press which is similar to other newswires like AP and UPI in the USA. If this article made it into the Windsor Star, it would have been published in other newpapers around Canada.
If the Canadian Press has done this story, it is my opinion that this is big news on the hospital front in Canada and is a strong indicator as to what other Canadian hospitals will do with their patient privacy lists.
Hope this helps and thanks ____.
hawk
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outnfree
Thanks, hawk and mystery contributor, for providing us a copy of the story.