“Poisoned Water to the Thirsty”

Bishop Vasa scheduled to speak at March healthcare conference in San Francisco

Santa Rosa Bishop Robert Vasa will be the featured speaker at a “special banquet” on March 30, part of a three-day conference in San Francisco on Catholic healthcare. The bishop’s talk is entitled, “Giving Poisoned Water to the Thirsty.”

The March 29-31 conference — “Make Straight the Pathway” — is described by sponsors as “a first of its kind conference for religious and healthcare leaders.” It is a joint effort by the Archdiocese of San Francisco, the dioceses of Oakland, Sacramento, and Santa Rosa, the Christus Medicus Foundation, the Life Legal Defense Foundation, One More Soul and the Catholic Medical Association. 

Bishop Vasa is scheduled to speak at a 7 p.m. banquet at the Hotel Kabuki in San Francisco on the second day of the conference, March 30. “Join Bishop Vasa for dinner and an engaging discussion on healthcare reform, ‘Giving Poisoned Waters to the Thirsty,’” says a flyer promoting the event.

“Bishop Vasa is a pastor, teacher, and canon lawyer,” the flyer continues. “He is outspoken in his defense of Catholic doctrine and moral teachings, particularly related to healthcare and the life issues. Bishop Vasa has been vocal in his conviction that Catholic healthcare needs to be more intentionally Catholic.”

The cost of attending the banquet is $125, and RSVPs are required by March 23. Checks should be made payable to Life Legal Defense Foundation and mailed to LLDF, P.O. Box 2105, Napa, CA 94558.

The Hotel Kabuki is located at 1625 Post Street in San Francisco. A 6 p.m. reception will precede the banquet, scheduled to begin an hour later.

The three-day conference is designed to “provide tools and insights to Make Straight the Pathway through convoluted legislation and the challenges of practicing your faith while practicing medicine,” according to its sponsors.

Among the conference goals identified by sponsors are:

“Advocate for state and federal public policy that actively protects and promotes religious liberty and individual right of conscience in healthcare and allows all Americans to select qualified health plans that do not violate their religious liberty.

Develop Culture of Life Primary Care Medical Centers.

Establish a National Catholic Health Plan that is Christ-centered and consistent with the Ethical and Religious Directives (ERDs) of Catholic Healthcare.”

“This regional conference will draw primarily from California,” notes an entry about the conference on the LLDF website. “It is intended for members of the Catholic Medical Association, the Catholic Health Association, state Catholic Conferences, physicians, nurses, healthcare CEOs and administrators, healthcare workers, providers, healthcare consultants, and diocesan leaders. However, leaders from all states are encouraged to attend.”

The cost of attending the conference depends on how soon you register. For those registering before March 1, the cost is $290. For those registering after March 1, the cost is $325. Special rates are available for students and clergy. The cost of the banquet with Bishop Vasa is not included.

To register for the conference online, Click Here.