Biden may withdraw federal aid due to Catholic hospital’s candle.

Federal Funding at Risk for Catholic Hospital in Oklahoma Over “Eternal Flame”

The Biden administration is threatening to pull federal funding from a Catholic hospital in Oklahoma unless the hospital extinguishes a chapel candle known as the “Eternal Flame.” The candle, which represents the presence of the body of Christ in the Eucharist, has been deemed a safety hazard by the Joint Commission, a hospital accreditation agency. Despite being enclosed in a glass candle holder with a brass top and located near fire sprinklers, the Joint Commission has denied four waiver requests regarding the candle. This could result in the Saint Francis Health System losing its accreditation and ability to receive federal funding through programs like Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and the law firm Yetter Coleman LLP have taken action on the hospital’s behalf, threatening a lawsuit unless the candle is left alone. In a letter to the Joint Commission and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Becket Fund stated, “In requiring Saint Francis to extinguish its flame, you are trying to extinguish not just a candle, but the First Amendment rights of Saint Francis Health System, as well as vital healthcare for the elderly, poor, and disabled in Oklahoma.”

Don’t let the government snuff out the “Eternal Flame” and the religious freedom of Saint Francis Health System. Join the fight to protect the rights of the hospital and its patients.

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