FINAL
DOCUMENT
At the end of the Congress in Bratislava, attended by more than 350
medical doctors from 20 European countries, FEAMC presents to the
doctors and to the society the following final declaration:
1. This is
the second Catholic Doctors’ Congress celebrated in a former
‘communist’ country. After 15 years of regained freedom, we have to
face a decay of moral standards, sometimes copying the worst of the
western mentality of consumerism, individualism, and utilitarianism.
This is leading to an increase of moral
problems, a degradation of lifestyles, a corruption of health
services and lack of attention to the most vulnerable in society:
the poor, the elderly, the disabled, and the chronically ill.
Although we cannot deliver everything
to all, we have to emphasize the fundamental right of every human
person to basic health care. Only respect of each person, created in
the image of God, may prevent a sort of social euthanasia, with
people suffering, or even dying because necessary health services
are unaffordable for them.
2. The
term “pre-embryo” is a conceptual and linguistic construction,
without any scientific basis, created merely for pragmatic and
utilitarian purposes.
3. Scientific evidence shows that
embryonic stem cells will not deliver the promised benefits and may
cause substantial harm to the recipient. Progress in the development
of adult stem cell technology appears to produce effective benefits,
which are ethically acceptable.
4. Methods of assisted reproduction
face increasingly severe ethical problems and cause tangible risks.
5. Secular society argues that legal
abortion is needed to prevent the consequences of illegal abortion.
Official statistics from Poland clearly show reduced maternal
mortality, reduced miscarriages and reduced prematurity since the
abolition of liberal abortion laws in 1993.
6. It is essential to put into the
practice of health care the right of the child to grow up and to
discover the world optimally.
7. A drug
addict is a sick person and has a place in our society. Medical
psychosocial and religious help may offer him inspiration and
support.
8. Medical
action must be based not only upon rights and duties, but also upon
grace and love, passing from occupation to vocation, and
accompanying patients until the end of their life.
9. Palliative care comprises optimal
medical, nursing, psychological, social and spiritual care,
respecting human dignity at the end of life.
Our first Congress of the new
Millennium is an opportune time to renew our pledge in the service
of the life, dignity and rights of every human being in the spirit
of Evangelium Vitae, the magna carta of catholic doctors and an
important source of inspiration for all health care workers of good
will.
Bratislava, July 4, 2004
