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Since our Catholic schools were completely integrated in September
1962, the question of the admission policy of our Catholic hospitals is the
next logical step. The Catholic hospitals, as distinct form our schools, are
dependent upon the support of the entire community; they must make changes
carefully to insure their continued effect service.
To understand the vital role of a Catholic hospital in serving the
health needs of the community, it is necessary to grasp two points:
(1) Like all non-public institutions, it must win and maintain
full public confidence so that donations and regular income will sustain it.
(2) Because it is Catholic, it reflects the full teaching of the
Church, not only in works of mercy and charity, but in the demonstration of
social justice. Whatever concessions are made to local custom, no Catholic
hospital in our archdiocese could be permanently bound to segregation as a
matter of fixed policy.
No citizens, white or Negro, can be in doubt about the
Church’s teaching on racial justice in this archdiocese, or her honest
determination to carry this out in practice. Accordingly, with the full
cooperation of the sister administrators, I wish to announce the new open
admission policy in our archdiocese. This means that all hospital patients will
be admitted without regard to race or color. In Atlanta, this policy is already
in effect at Saint Joseph’s Infirmary, according to Sister M. Josetta,
R.S.M., administrator, and at the new Holy Family Hospital as soon as it opens,
according to Sister Theophane, S.C.M.M., Administrator.
Assignment of hospital space to patients will be made on the basis
of medical and surgical need, not the basis of race or color. There will be no
separated section for any racial group.
We are confident that the new policy, which is in keeping with
sound economic hospital operation and good civic relations, as well as the
moral law, will enable our hospitals to serve the community with the same skill
and compassion that have become their treasured tradition.
Paul J. Hallinan
Archbishop Of Atlanta |
