The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-11-12
RE GRETS
SICK CALL
INCIDENT
DR.. Palmer Says Barring
of Priest From Bray Home
Was UnintentiOnal.

The Rev. Denis ]. Mccartie. of Sc.
Michaels Church, n DR.. G.. H.
Palmer, a physician. of IL Wakeman
avenue, say they are both surprised
at the attention received by a reported
controversy Father McCartie raised on
Sunday when he deplored from his pull
pit the treatment the physician had ac-
corded a communicate of the church in
refusing to allow the administration OF
the last sacrament to Mrs. Michael
Bray, of 11S Belleville avenue, just be-
fore she died last week.
The doctor declares that to bar q
minister of the gospel, of whatever de-
nomination. from the sick room, Is dis
tinctly against his professional ethics,
and an action he would not take under
any circumstances.
DIR. Palmer, in order that his po-
sition in the matter might be UNDER
stood, made a statement today in
which he said that when the priest
called the patient was taking his att
tention so fully he was scarcely able
to remember afterward that h priest
had applied for admission to the room.
He does remember, however, telling the
nurse, when the priest was announced,
that he did not think his services were
needed then.
The physician explains that just at
that time the condition of the patient
had improved much, so that 1t did not
seem likely her life was longer in
jeopardy. and he declares that when
she again grew worse he informed the
family and that the priest was sum
moned a second time, several hours
later, but hat being engaged when the
call came for him he (the priest) failed
to reach the bedside until two or three
minutes after the patient had expired.
He insists that If the priest had re-
manned neal he would have had ample
opportunity to perform the rights OF
his church.
In giving his side of the story DIR.
Palmer said to a STAR reporter:
M Bray suggested that a priest
be called In soon after arrived
lection, although at that time there was
been fatally stricken. l was very busy
when the nurse announced that the priest
was at the door and desired to enter.
Because of my interest In the case, l
remember little of the occurrence. do
recall having remarked that | didn't think
that the father was needed then. It was
not my meaning that he should be ex-
cluded, but that the patient had become
brighter and her condition was not seem
ingly precarious. Had / seen Father
Walsh he would ave been invited
In, although, for his information, !
would have explained the view of the
case taken by me and the other pnysi-
clan called in consultation. Every one
has the right Of their religious convic-
lions, and as a physician I never interfere
with that right. While not desiring e
criticize, I cannot understand why the
priest did not demand that he see one 81
the doctors or a member OF the 1amiiyl
: rather than take the woman,s word tina
he was not wanted. l am certain that
or any other physician In a similar .proies
sional situation, would not nave Tisked I
case of life and death on a woman's i'll
/; manner. At the time | was toe ous.
= working with the patient to think o
: amenities, but ] did not think that tn
father would misunderstood the situation
otherwise | would have gone to the DOC
/, and welcomed him. -
II cannot tell you how much I regret tn
!; occurrence, but do not feel entirely I
blame. When Mrs. Bray's condition gre
serious I promptly notified the family.
told them that death might be expected
This was about 5 o'clock. This was thre
hours before her death. I made certai
that they knew the truth, In order tina
Q they might do whatever they felt dut'
/: tainly giving time for a priest to hav
: been I'M from any part of the city
ut is my understanding that when tot
; OF her precarlous state hat they agati
, sent for a priest, | believe the same one
He did not come. ] am told. because q
the time he was engaged with services II
the church and could not cave. He cam'
= later. arriving just two or three minute
after Mrs, Bray died"