The Diocese of Little Rock released a statement Nov. 19 in response to a statement from Mercy Health about the proposed sale of Mercy Hospital Hot Springs to Capella Healthcare.
Capella, based in Franklin, Tenn., owns National Park Medical Center, also in Hot Springs.
Vatican approval is needed in order for the Catholic hospital to be sold.
According to the Diocese of Little Rock statement, the bishop “has not received a response from the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life on the votum he submitted with objections to the sale of Mercy Hospital Hot Springs (St. Joseph Mercy Medical Center) to Capella Healthcare.
“Lacking a response from the congregation, Bishop Taylor is not in a position to be able to respond to requests for a reaction to any statements recently issued by Mercy Hospital Hot Springs or Capella Healthcare other than to state that the proposed sale of the hospital to Capella Healthcare remains under discussion and lacks his support at this time.
“Bishop Taylor asks for prayers that the Holy Spirit will help those involved with this decision find the best way forward for the benefit of all concerned, including the people in Hot Springs and the patients and employees of Mercy Hospital Hot Springs.”
