CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Controversy is brewing in Texas over a Catholic-run hospital that is accused of enabling the last remaining abortion facility in South Texas to remain open.

Under a recent Texas law that took affect in November, those who perform abortions are required to obtain admitting privileges at a local hospital within a 30-mile radius. However, Christus Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi has reportedly already been granting admitting privileges to abortionist Eduardo Aquino for decades, enabling his Coastal Birth Control Center— the last remaining abortion facility in the area—to remain open.

According to reports, 20 abortion facilities in Texas have closed their doors—or have announced their impending closure—as a result of being unable to meet the new requirement. Local pro-life leaders hope that Aquino’s facility joins that number, and are outraged that a Catholic institution is providing cover for an abortion provider.

“The biggest issue is the fact that they do claim to be … Catholic, and yet they’re walking hypocritically according to what they state by enabling abortion,” said Pastor of Sovereign Grace Community Church, Daniel Sem.

Members of his church organized a demonstration against the hospital on Mother’s Day.

“It’s a moral issue; it’s not a legal issue,” Sem continued. “And we urge them and plead with them to obey God rather than man in this regard, and help end the taking of life in our city.”

Sem has also published a website and an online petition to raise awareness and pressure on officials at Christus Spohn Hospital to drop admitting privileges for Aquino. The petition has nearly 500 signatures to date.

In response to criticism, Christus Spohn issued a statement asserting that their hospital is not committing any wrongdoing.

“Christus Spohn is committed to protecting the value of all life and does not perform abortions,” it told local television station KRIS-TV.

Christus’ “Core Values” statement on their website states that it endeavors to provide “[r]espect for the worth of every person, recognition and commitment to the value of diverse individuals and perspectives, and special concern for the poor and underserved.”

However, some Catholics in the state contend that Christus Spohn is violating it’s own values through its alliance with Aquino.

“No comparison line by line, word by word, of these three Statements is needed to demonstrate the utter consummate hypocrisy of allowing abortionist Aquino to have admitting privileges at a Christus Hopsital,” wrote Dr. Guy McClung, a Catholic leader from San Antonio, in an open letter. “You must realize that without the admitting privileges you extend to abortionist Aquino, this racially targeted abortion business would shut down due to the new Texas law, passed out of concern for the safety and well-being of mothers put at risk by abortion procedures.”

Editor’s Note: Those wishing to urge Christus Spohn Hospital to rescind admitting privileges for Eduardo Aquino may click here to sign the petition or call 361-881-3000.

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