Catholic hospitals seen as focus of next key Church conflict

Conflicts between Catholic hospital administrators and local bishops-- like the conflict between Bishop Thomas Olmsted and St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix-- are likely to be the next major battleground within the American Church, writes Anne Hendershott in the Wall Street Journal. 

The subhead tells the story: "Administrators shop for theologians to support practices that conflict with church teachings."

This battle is overdue, Hendershott argues: "For too long, the authority of bishops has been limited to issuing mere opinions. This is especially true at Catholic colleges and universities, where bishops have little affect on the culture and curriculum."

SIC: CC/INT'L