KBS: Priests Will Be in Hospitals Only on Request, Not without Consent

Bratislava, 9 June (TASR) - The Catholic Church rejects fears that priests will visit patients in hospitals without their consent, the Slovak Bishops Conference's (KBS) press office told TASR on Monday, adding that such claims are not substantiated. "No clergyman will provide spiritual care without the consent of the patient. However, priests have the right to approach a patient on request and meet his or her spiritual needs," said KBS spokesperson Katarina Jancisinova, noting that in the case of a minor, it remains the right of the minor's representative to give consent to provide such care. She also stressed that clergymen don't have the right to look into a patient's medical record. According to the spokeswoman, in the holistic care of a person "it's essential to take into account his or her spiritual needs." "It's about fulfilling the patient's primary right to receive spiritual care, with his or her consent, in accordance with his or her religion and religious beliefs," she stated. MP Jana Bitto Ciganikova (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS) claimed on Monday that clergy will be able to enter any hospital ward without the patient's consent and without invitation. She was reacting to an approved change that is due to take effect in July. The change, she said, ignores patient consent, disregards the right to privacy and sets a dangerous precedent. The new rules in the Health-care Providers Act were approved last week as an amending proposal to the amendment to the Education Act. It was discussed via a fast-tracked procedure. Providers will be obliged to allow a person in charge of spiritual activities to enter the hospital if their presence doesn't interfere with the provision of care. In the event of a breach of the obligation, the Health Ministry will be able to impose a fine of up to €500 on the provider. am/df