St. Joseph Medical Center to remain Catholic hospital

Archbishop William E. Lori announced Nov. 20 that the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) have reached agreement on terms that will allow St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson to continue operating as a Catholic hospital.

“St. Joseph Medical Center has provided quality, Catholic healthcare to people of all faiths for over 145 years,” Archbishop Lori said in a news release. “The hospital’s Catholic identity is pervasive in virtually every aspect of its operation. This agreement will ensure that St. Joseph’s will continue this long tradition of providing faith-filled care throughout this new chapter in the hospital’s storied history.”

St. Joseph has operated as a Catholic hospital since 1864. It is being purchased by UMMS and will operate under the name University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center (UM-SJMC) beginning in December.

According to the archdiocesan news release, the agreement provides a framework within which the hospital can continue authentic Catholic traditions and practices. Church law requires the local bishop to give his imprimatur, or nihil obstat, in such transactions.

Because the hospital is being sold to a non-Catholic entity, according to the news release, Vatican approval is required.

Francis X. Kelly, chairman of the Board of Directors of UM-SJMC, said in the news release, “This is something the board wants to do. We are thrilled that the archbishop and the archdiocese agreed to allow us to continue the strong Catholic traditions at St. Joseph Medical Center. We are looking forward to working closely with Archbishop Lori, for whom I have a great deal of respect.”