My Dear Friends in Christ,
In this issue of The Columbus Catholic Times, you will find a decree that I issued on November 18, 2025, immediately following the gathering of the Bishops of the United States in Baltimore, regarding the 7th Edition of the Ethical and Religious Directives, which govern Catholic healthcare facilities – hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, etc. With this degree, I have made those directives particular law for the Diocese of Columbus, which means they are binding on all Catholic hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and the like within our 23 counties.
The Bishops of the United States overwhelmingly adopted the modest changes to the previous edition of the Ethical and Religious Directives. In fact, 206 voted in favor, 8 abstained, and 7 voted against the changes, after wide consultation with experts, including the Catholic Medical Association, National Catholic Bioethics Center, Catholic Health Association, and the Alliance of Catholic Health Care.
Principally, the changes wanted to incorporate the 2023 Doctrinal Note of the USCCB Committee on Doctrine, which prohibited surgical or chemical interventions seeking to exchange or simulate the sex characteristics of a patient’s body for those of the opposite sex. Other changes also strengthened the Church’s teaching regarding the dignity of human life and the dignity of the human person, incorporating insights from Dignitas Infinita. There is also greater emphasis on the need for palliative care and pastoral accompaniment of those who are suffering.
Of course, there are many procedures which are prohibited in Catholic facilities – abortion, sterilization, distribution of contraceptives, euthanasia, physician assisted suicide, gender reassignment surgery. This will lead some to accuse Catholic hospitals and healthcare facilities of not being “full service” hospitals. Behind our “No” to these immoral actions is a great “Yes” to the goodness of human life and to the God of Life, Whom we serve. Of course, many of these actions are not really healthcare at all, and our Catholic facilities offer high quality, compassionate care, prioritizing the person over profit.
Additionally, while a handful of directives prohibit certain actions, the vast majority of the 77 directives are positive, helping to guide the actions of Catholic hospitals and caregivers to minister to the sick as part of the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. They assist in establishing a culture of care, which reflects the compassion of the heart of Christ. They incarnate within the Catholic facilities authentic Catholic Social Doctrine and the Gospel of Life.
I am grateful for all those who make Catholic healthcare possible in the Diocese of Columbus and for their efforts in helping to build a Culture of Life in which every person is valued, cared for and loved. As we prepare to celebrate the Birth of the Savior, I commend all of you to Christ the Divine Physician. May He bring you the healing and peace you desire.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Earl K. Fernandes
Bishop of Columbus
