A Catholic hospital system in Oklahoma is contesting US federal officials’ demand that it must extinguish an enclosed tabernacle candle in its chapel or lose accreditation and its ability to serve patients.

A Government contractor responsible for accrediting hospitals deemed that it represented a fire hazard.

This is despite the candle being encased in glass, twice over, and topped with a brass cap, firmly affixed to the wall of the chapel.

Church law requires the presence of a lit candle to signify the real presence of Christ in the tabernacle.

Removal of the candle would also necessitate removing the tabernacle and stopping the conduct of mass at the site.

“We’re being asked to choose between serving those in need and worshiping God in the chapel, but they go hand in hand,” said a representative of the hospital.