One-third of all hospitals in Wisconsin are associated with the Catholic Church. That’s the highest percentage in the country. Catholic hospitals are subject to the Ethical and Religious Directives written by the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops. Some of these directives are benign, such as requirements for service to the poor, but some, such as […]
Naming Names in the Catholic Church Abuse Scandal
In 1051, Benedictine Monk Peter Damian wrote “Liber Gommorihanus,” a screed against many practices of Catholic priests at the time. Damian was particularly incensed at priests who made it a habit of having sexual relations with adolescent boys. Pope Leo IX praised Damian for his efforts, expressed dismay at the priests’ behavior, but did little […]
Rural Wisconsin Healthcare in Trouble
If you’re going to have a heart attack or a stroke, don’t do it in a small town. According to a national study, you have a six percent higher chance of dying in areas without a local hospital. And across the country, hospitals in rural areas are closing at an alarming rate — 155 since […]
Cannabis Going Mainstream on Main Street
Back in 1936, a small church group put together a film designed to warn parents of the dangers of marijuana. The film, originally titled “Tell Your Children,” became better known when it was re-released as “Reefer Madness” on the exploitation film circuit. “Reefer Madness” depicted marijuana smokers as crazed, homicidal, suicidal and reckless, prone to […]
Sparse Justice for Immigrants
“You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided to you.” So goes the now-familiar Miranda rights read to people accused of a crime. But if you are an undocumented immigrant in the United States facing deportation, you might never hear those words. Even if you do […]
Cows Are Causing Water Contamination in Kewaunee County
For years, Wisconsin farmers and residents in rural subdivisions in places like Kewaunee County have pointed the finger of blame at each other when it comes to contaminated groundwater. Were coliform bacteria and nitrates in local wells coming from cows or septic systems? No one seemed to know for sure, and as a result, no […]
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