(LifeSiteNews) – The Vatican’s doctrinal congregation has ordered about a dozen psychiatric hospitals in Belgium belonging to the Brothers of Charity to drop the name “Catholic” after the institutions defended allowing patients to be euthanized.
The order from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith follows three years of fruitless talks between Rome and the mostly non-religious governors’ board of the institution that has consistently refused to modify its guidelines allowing legal euthanasia for the mentally ill.
The congregation of the Brothers of Charity is also expected to sever all existing links with its network of psychiatric hospitals in Belgium.
News emerged Monday of a letter sent March 30 by the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Luis Ladaria, announcing the decision that the Vatican no longer considers the 12 centers to be Catholic, with immediate effect. CONTINUE