July 12, 2023 at 11:37 a.m.

'A CHILLING IMPACT'

Bishop reacts to news of the proposed closing of the Burdett Birth Center.

Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany said July 12 the potential closing of a birth center in Troy could have a "chilling impact" on moms and babies.

"The chilling impact on moms and babies that would result from the proposed closure of the Burdett Birth Center in Troy is of great concern to me," Bishop Scharfenberger said in a statement. "The disastrous, long-range economic and societal consequences of placing further burdens on parents bringing human lives into the world is clear. Nothing is more central to the Catholic healthcare mission than supporting life and all of those who bring it into the world."

The news of the proposed closing was brought to greater light by a column written by Chris Churchill that appeared in the Albany Times Union and was reprinted in the July 13 paper of The Evangelist.

Burdett Birthing Center is located at Troy’s Samaritan Hospital, which is owned by St. Peter’s Health Partners, and is the only maternity ward in Rensselaer County. Churchill said in the column that the reason that St. Peter’s wants to shutter the center is because they are losing about $2.3 million annually.

Churchill's column can be read using this link: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/churchill-shutdown-burdett-birth-center-18192294.php