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The London Free Press quotes an article by LifeSiteNews that claims the London hospital has been performing "eugenic" abortions for fetal defects, for 20 years.

The hospital denies it's performing abortions and says its practices are clearly in line with Catholic teachings.

"The investigation is still in process," Mark Adkinson, spokesman for Bishop Fabbro said. "The bishop does see it as a priority."

Fabbro has written to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome, the Church body responsible for maintaining Catholic doctrine throughout the world, to advise them of the situation.

St Joseph's Health Care spokesperson Kathy Burrill said the hospital welcomes the investigation of its practices.

"The bishop asked if we would go back and review our cases and provide him with a summary report, which we are doing and are very happy to do," she said.

"As a Catholic health care organisation, we support all of the principles of Catholic teaching and the principles of Catholic health care, which include honouring life from conception until natural death."

The controversy centres on the hospital's policy of "early induction for lethal fetal anomalies."

If a fetus has a condition that will cause its death in the womb, at birth, or shortly after birth, the policy allows for the birth to be induced early.

The decision is made after the case has been reviewed by a hospital committee that includes medical and nursing staff, theologians, ethicists and social workers.

Burrill said there are eight to 10 such early inductions a year at the hospital.

Anti-abortion websites criticising the hospital say the practice is actually abortion.

Burrill said the births are only induced at the stage when the fetus could live outside the mother.

"We wait until viability is possible," she said.

SOURCE

St. Joe's accused of doing abortions (London Free Press)

LINKS

St Joseph's Health Care, London, Ontario