Cardinal Sodano's letter on the occasion of the 18th
Congress
of the International Federation of
Catholic Medical Associations (FIAMC)
Physician must be servant of life
On 6th September, to mark the 18th
Congress of the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations
(FIAMC), Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State,
addressed a letter in the Holy Father's name to Cardinal Fiorenzo
Angelini, President of the Pontifical Council for
Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers, taking part in this meeting in
Porto, Portugal. The sessions were organized on the general theme: "The
doctor and the new evangelization". Here is a translation of the
French-language text of the Cardinal's message.
Cardinal Fiorenzo Angelini
President of the Pontifical Council
For Pastoral Assistance
To Health Care Workers
Your Eminence,
1.the International
Federation of Catholic Medical Associations is preparing to hold its 18th
congress
in
2.The Church, founded by Christ, "who came so that
they may have life and have it
abundantly"
(Jn 10,10), is called today to firmly unite the
announcement of the Gospel to the advancement and defence
of the irreplaceable value of human life. Her mission is to bear liberating
hope to those in increasing numbers and everywhere in the world
who suffer from the serious attempts made on life from its inception.
A servant of life, the physician is "the
servant of this God, who in the Scriptures is presented
as a
"friend of life" (Song
3.Some special circumstances bring out the
current interest of the topics and problems dealt
with by
this 18th World Congress. The celebration of the International Year
of the Family, the problems occupying the United Nations' World Conference on
Population and Development (Cairo, 5-13 September 1994), the spread of
permissive legislation in the areas of birth control, fertilization, genetic
manipulation, and euthanasia, in addition to developmental models which are a
cause for concern, all of this calls physicians to reflect, in practicing
preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative medicine, they must
carry out their duties, accepting and professing courageously and openly The Gospel of Life, which was first
expressed in the Hippocratic Oath.
The advancement and defence
of life are essential characteristics of civilization; and to
present
oneself openly as a Catholic physician first of all means to ensure the
safeguarding of this civilization. The prospect of the "civilization of
love" which is so greatly desired is none other that that of the
"civilization of life".
It is for this reason that the Holy Father has
instituted this year the
Life,
assigning to it "the special function of study, information, and formation
on the main problems of biomedicine and law related to the advancement and defence of life, particularly in their direct relation to
Christian morality and the directives of the Church's Magisterium"
(Motu proprio Vitae mysterium, 11
February, 1994, n.4).
4.Catholic physicians must be at the forefront
to fulfil the duty of evangelization, in
exemplary fidelity to the directives of
the Magisterium. They will be better equipped to make
known and comprehend the Church's doctrine, if they are able to acquire
religious training in keeping with their scientific training.
Cultural preparation and a capacity to
disseminate appropriate information on the serious
problems
posed today by life-related questions cannot be overlooked. The Federation is
called to take initiatives in this direction. Indeed, the Magisterium's
firm stands in the area of advancing and protecting life, from its conception
to its natural close, must not be known by way of those combating and
frequently distorting them. Above all, they must be received, studied, and
explained by those who have freely chosen to be faithful to them by virtue of
their Christian vocation.
Fidelity to the directives of the Magisterium must be not only a formal condition for the
individual
physician's membership in the Church, but also a distinctive and unequivocal
sign for the associations making up their Federation around the world.
5.The courage to witness
must correspond to the consistency of purpose. Doctors are
believable
witnesses to the extent that they zealously place themselves at the service of
health without overlooking its moral and spiritual dimension. Their testimony
is expressed every day whenever they respond to the needs of their patients.
Who can perceive better or more fully than physicians the acuteness of the
fundamental questions posed by human pain? Who is better or more fully suited
to understand the Gospel beatitude "Blessed are the afflicted" (Mt
5:5)? When they relieve sufferings and seek to heal, they are at the same time
witnesses to a Christian conception of suffering and of the meaning of life and
death.
6.While the world is increasingly in need of
solidarity and co-operation, it is
appropriate for
the Federation to work ever more closely with
the different cultural, social, and charitable institutions active in the Catholic Church and
also with others which, though not Catholic, share the same concern for the
world of health policy and care. On an international and national level, this
means showing openness and a willingness to co-operate with initiatives carried
out together, wherever it is possible and desirable to do so.
7.The Holy Father insistently invites Catholic
physicians to be attentive to the signs of the
times so
as to recognize the motions of the Spirit therein. Faithful to the primary aims
of their Federation, they will be very careful to adapt their norms and
activities to the new conditions of our time. The intrepid, admirable strides
forward of science and technology demand bold dynamism and flexible creativity
in the statutes and an organization effectively making possible co-operation
and joint action by the different National Associations. Consciences will thus
awaken to the vast world of health care, the voice of Catholic physicians will
make itself heard, and their presence will be esteemed.
Along with the Holy Father, the Pontifical
Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care
Workers is
close to the Federation, for its mission is to "stimulate and promote the
work of formation, study, and action carried out by the different Catholic
international organizations in the world of health policy and care" (Motu Proprio Dolentium hominum, 11 February 1985, n. 69).
8.The Pope's fond wish is that the 18th
World Congress will mark a significant turning point in the life if the
International Federation. May the Most Blessed Virgin, Sedes Sapientiae and Salus Infirmorum, a unique model of obedience
in faith and of generosity in charity, enlighten and support Catholic
physicians. In this spirit, the Holy Father bestows the Apostolic Blessing upon
the Congress members, their colleagues, and their co-workers throughout the
world, as a sign of divine assistance.
Pleased to be acting as a spokesman for His
Holiness, I cordially convey to Your Eminence
my best
regards.