By Peter J. Smith
OXFORD, United Kingdom, January 29, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A British hospice for the disabled run by an Anglican nun had arranged for a disabled man to have sex with a prostitute as part of its works of mercy.
According to the UK’s The Daily Telegraph, the Douglas hospice in Oxford actively cooperated to find a prostitute or “sex worker” for 22-year-old Nick Wallis, a patient suffering Duchenne muscular dystrophy, after the young man asked the staff for help in finding sexual intercourse.
Wallis told the Telegraph that he had wanted to hire a prostitute for sex for two years since he despaired of having “an intimate and loving relationship with a woman” on account of his disability.
“I had hoped to form a relationship when I went to university, but it didn’t happen,” Wallis told the Telegraph. “I had to recognise that if was to experience sex I would have to pay for it out of my savings. My mind was made up before I discussed it with anyone else.”
The Douglas House hospice staff – departing from Christian principles teaching that sexual intercourse is an expression of married love between a man and a woman – then sought out the advice of attorneys, the clergy, and health care professionals with the full knowledge of its foundress, Anglican Sister Frances Dominica, in order to accomplish his goal.
With the support and cooperation of both hospice staff and his parents, Wallis related to the Telegraph that a “very pleasant and very understanding” prostitute visited his home in Northhampton for an experience he admitted “was not emotionally fulfilling”.
Unfortunately, Sister Frances, foundress of Douglas House and its associated hospice for children, Helen House, sees no contradiction in her presumed Christian principles and abetting a practice long regarded in Christian civilization as degrading the sacred dignity of women and a social scourge.
“I know that some people will say ‘You are a Christian foundation. What are you thinking about?’ But we are here for all faiths and none,” said Sister Frances.
“It is not our job to make moral decisions for our guests. We came to the conclusion that it was our duty of care to support Nick emotionally and to help ensure his physical safety.”
However, Sr. Frances’ statements to the Telegraph are seen by orthodox, believing Christians as a non-concern for Wallis’ or any disabled person’s spiritual well-being. The tradition is that since prostitution is a serious offense against Christian teaching and against natural law cause and effect principles, it could not be of any real benefit to anyone and would actually be harmful.
Nick Wallis’ story is now part of a BBC documentary series about life inside Douglas House and its hospice for children, Helen House, and can be seen on The Children of Helen House, BBC2, 10pm Tuesday.
Related LifeSite coverage:
Australian and Danish Governments Providing Prostitutes for the Disabled
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/sep/05093003.html