Landmark to become Catholic hospital, contrary to previous representation

Woonsocket’s Landmark Medical Center will become a Catholic hospital, subject to the limitations of Catholic doctrine, if the hospital completes its planned sale to Caritas Christi Health Care, a Catholic hospital chain in Massachusetts.

That’s according to a statement from Dr. Ralph de la Torre, Caritas Christi’s chief executive officer — contradicting statements made by Caritas and Landmark spokesmen when the sales agreement was signed late last month.

“If Landmark Medical Center is acquired by Caritas Christi or by any company owning the Caritas Christi hospitals, Landmark Medical Center will function within and abide by the Ethical and Religious Directives,” de la Torre said in his statement.