PEORIA – OSF HealthCare is pleased to announce the official establishment of OSF Healthcare Ministries as a Diocesan Public Juridic Person (Diocesan PJP), in partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Peoria.  OSF Healthcare Ministries will now serve as the sole corporate member and canonical sponsor of OSF Healthcare.  This marks an important milestone for the organization, ensuring a strong foundation for the continued delivery of exceptional, faith-based care.

HOLY SEE APPROVES TRANSITION

The Holy See has approved this transition and Most Reverend Bishop Louis Tylka has issued a decree officially designating OSF Healthcare Ministries a Diocesan PJP. The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, who have been integral to the health care Ministry for over 147 years, will continue to play a vital role in this new structure.

The OSF Healthcare Ministries Board will include five Sisters: Sister Agnes Joseph Williams, O.S.F., Major Superior; Sister Judith Ann Duvall, O.S.F.; Sister Theresa Ann Brazeau, O.S.F.; Sister Rose Therese Mann, O.S.F.; and Sister Teresa Paul Selamat, O.S.F. Their leadership ensures that OSF HealthCare remains committed to its Mission to serve with the greatest care and love.

“This transition reflects our ongoing dedication to exceptional health care while honoring Catholic values,” said Bishop Tylka. “OSF Healthcare Ministries will enable us to maintain the care that OSF Healthcare provides to the 26 counties within the Diocese of Peoria and beyond.”

COMMITMENT TO SISTERS’ MISSION

Sister Agnes Joseph, O.S.F. stated, “Transitioning OSF Healthcare System to OSF Healthcare Ministries is a profound affirmation of our commitment to our Mission, and we look forward to continuing our legacy of care rooted in faith.”

The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis major superior and council, who will also comprise the OSF Healthcare Ministries Board are (from left): Sister Rose Therese Mann, O.S.F.; Sister Theresa Ann Brazeau, O.S.F., Sister Agnes Joseph Williams, O.S.F., major superior; Sister Judith Ann Duvall, O.S.F., assistant major superior; and Sister Teresa Paul Selamat, O.S.F. (Provided photo)

The establishment of OSF Healthcare Ministries is a strategic decision, as both the Sisters’ Motherhouse and OSF Ministry Headquarters are located in the Peoria area. This new model reinforces the longstanding relationship between the Sisters and the Bishops of the Peoria Diocese, who have supported and collaborated with the Sisters since the inception of the Ministry in 1877.

While OSF HealthCare operates across multiple dioceses in Illinois and Michigan, the establishment of the Diocesan PJP within the Diocese of Peoria underscores the commitment to local communities. This change will not impact the daily operations of OSF HealthCare, ensuring that Mission Partners, patients, and donors will continue to receive the same high-quality care they have come to expect.

For more information about OSF HealthCare and its commitment to faith-based health care, visit osfhealthcare.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Establishment of OSF Healthcare Ministries as a Diocesan Public Juridic Person (Diocesan PJP)

October 30, 2024

Q: What is a Diocesan Public Juridic Person (Diocesan PJP)?

A: A Diocesan PJP is a Church-recognized legal entity that enables organizations like OSF HealthCare to operate as part of the Catholic Church while maintaining autonomy in management. OSF Healthcare Ministries will now be the sole corporate member and canonical sponsor of OSF HealthCare, ensuring alignment with Catholic values and mission.

Q: Will this change affect patient care or daily operations at OSF HealthCare?

A: No, this transition will not affect the daily operations of OSF HealthCare. Patients, Mission Partners, and donors will continue to experience the same high-quality, faith-based care and services.

Q: What role will the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis have in this new structure?

A: The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, who have led the OSF HealthCare Ministry for over 147 years, will continue to play a significant role. Five Sisters, including the Major Superior, Sister Agnes Joseph Williams, O.S.F., will serve on the OSF Healthcare Ministries Board, ensuring that OSF HealthCare remains committed to its Mission.

Q: Will the Bishop of Peoria oversee operations at OSF hospitals?

A: No, neither the Bishop nor his office will be involved in the day to day operations of the OSF hospitals. While the Bishop issued the decree establishing OSF Healthcare Ministries as a Diocesan PJP, the daily operations of OSF HealthCare remain under the management of OSF leadership and Mission Partners.

Q: Is OSF HealthCare limited to serving only the Diocese of Peoria?

A: No, OSF HealthCare will continue to serve communities across multiple dioceses in Illinois and Michigan. The establishment of OSF Healthcare Ministries as a Diocesan PJP in the Diocese of Peoria simply highlights its foundational location and the strong ties to the local Church leadership.

Q: How common is this type of arrangement for health care systems?

A: Public Juridic Persons (PJPs) are not uncommon in Catholic health care. They provide a way for Catholic health systems to operate within the structure of the Church, ensuring alignment with Catholic teachings while allowing for effective management and operational autonomy. This model has been used by various Catholic health care organizations to preserve their religious mission in the modern health care environment. However, this is one of the first instances where a Diocesan Public Juridic Person (PJP) has been established specifically under diocesan oversight for a health care system. OSF Healthcare Ministries’ establishment as a Diocesan PJP is innovative and may change the way Catholic hospitals are structured across the country.

Q: Why was this transition to a new structure made for OSF HealthCare?
A: This transition establishes a formalized framework that strengthens OSF HealthCare’s ties with the Diocese of Peoria, where the Sisters’ Motherhouse and OSF Ministry Headquarters are located. It reinforces OSF HealthCare’s identity as a faith-based organization, ensuring ongoing collaboration, governance stability, and alignment with Catholic values for future generations, all in support of the Mission set forth by the Sisters.

Q: Why is this structure important for OSF HealthCare?

A: This transition is a profound affirmation of OSF HealthCare’s dedication to providing faith-based care within the Catholic tradition. Establishing OSF Healthcare Ministries as a Diocesan PJP both honors the legacy of the Sisters and secures the Ministry’s future within the Church. It’s a forward-looking decision that ensures OSF HealthCare’s values-driven approach remains at the heart of its operations, empowering it to serve communities with compassion and purpose.

Q: Where can I learn more about OSF HealthCare’s mission and values?

A: For more information on OSF HealthCare and its dedication to faith-based care, visit osfhealthcare.org.