Boston Archdiocese agrees to give up control of hospital system

BOSTON - The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston has agreed to give up control of its financially struggling chain of six eastern Massachusetts hospitals, but will still retain authority over moral and ethical issues, Attorney General Martha Coakley said Tuesday.

An independent board of governors will manage financial, strategic and operational affairs under changes proposed by church officials, Coakley said.

The archdiocese, however, will retain the right to reject any action proposed by the board and which may require its approval — provided that church officials file an advance written notice to the office of the state’s chief law enforcement official, Coakley said....