Saint Francis flame not a safety threat after all, federal officials decide
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services originally denied an appeal but quickly reconsidered after inquiries from Oklahoma's congressional delegation and threats of a religious freedom lawsuit.
tulsaworld.com
They were recently issued a citation during their re-accreditation process which they tried to appeal. This entire issue revolves around their use of a lighted candle in their chapels.
"This has never been a problem before, this has been approved by the fire marshall," said Lori Windham, vice president and senior counsel with the becket fund for religious liberty. "St. Francis takes fire safety very seriously."
Windham said the candle is inside a glass holder, which is inside another a glass holder and under a brass cover up on the wall.
"They've had their living flame burning for many years without a problem so
we're not sure why it's being cited now," she said.
"This has never been a problem before, this has been approved by the fire marshall."
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