“We are here to show solidarity with St. Agnes nurses and to send a strong message to the Bishops: Ascension Hospital chain is disregarding the Church doctrine in Baltimore. As a witness to their actions, I can confidently say that Ascension prioritizes profits over patient care.”
These were the words of a passionate nurse, who joined her colleagues in a peaceful protest outside the Ascension-owned St. Agnes Hospital. The nurses, along with community members and other healthcare workers, gathered to express their concerns and demand change from the hospital chain.
The issue at hand is the blatant disregard for the Church’s teachings on compassion and care for the sick. As a Catholic institution, Ascension is expected to uphold these values, but it seems that their focus has shifted towards financial gains rather than fulfilling their mission of serving the community.
The nurses at St. Agnes have been working tirelessly on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, risking their own health and safety to care for the sick. Yet, instead of being recognized and supported, they have been met with unfair treatment and inadequate resources.
One nurse shared her experience of being overworked and understaffed, with patients being neglected and left waiting for hours due to the shortage of nurses. She also highlighted the lack of proper protective gear, putting both the patients and healthcare workers at risk.
This is not an isolated incident. Similar concerns have been raised by nurses and other healthcare workers at other Ascension-owned hospitals in Baltimore. It is evident that Ascension’s focus on profits has taken precedence over the well-being of their patients and employees.
As a Catholic institution, Ascension is expected to follow the teachings of the Church and prioritize the care of the sick and vulnerable. However, their actions are in direct contradiction to these principles. This is not only a disservice to the community they serve but also a mockery of the Church’s doctrine.
The protesters also called out the Bishops for their silence on this matter. As leaders of the Church, they have a responsibility to hold Catholic institutions accountable for their actions. By turning a blind eye to the situation at St. Agnes and other Ascension-owned hospitals, they are failing to uphold the values of the Church and support their own community.
It is time for the Bishops to take a stand and demand that Ascension uphold the Church’s teachings and fulfill their mission of providing compassionate care to all. The nurses and healthcare workers of St. Agnes and other Ascension-owned hospitals deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and the patients deserve to receive quality care.
The protest at St. Agnes was a powerful display of solidarity and a call for change. It is heartening to see members of the community come together to support the nurses and demand accountability from Ascension. This is a clear message to the hospital chain that their actions will not go unnoticed or unchallenged.
As we continue to navigate through the challenges of the pandemic, it is crucial that healthcare institutions prioritize the well-being of their patients and employees over profits. The Catholic Church has always been a champion of social justice and compassion, and it is time for Ascension to live up to these values.
In conclusion, the protest at St. Agnes was a powerful reminder that as a community, we must hold institutions accountable for their actions. We stand in solidarity with the nurses and healthcare workers of St. Agnes and urge the Bishops to take action and ensure that Ascension upholds the Church’s teachings and values. Let us continue to raise our voices and demand that the care of the sick and vulnerable remains the top priority for all healthcare institutions.
