To the
Italian Association of Catholic Doctors
You are at the service of life and
human
1. I address my cordial greetings to you,
members of the new National Council of the Italian Association of Catholic
Doctors, who have come to
Your Association, often with
sensitive foresight, has always been prominent in the effort to reconcile the
twofold demand of the respect for life and for science; this vision of the
human person considered as an image of the greatness and beauty of God, opens
to science a field of unlimited research. To deny, forget or underestimate this
proper harmonious composition of values causes not a few of the evils which
afflict the society of our time.
2. The Association has distinguished
itself by its faithfulness to the Magisterium of the Church and to her pastoral
directives, aimed at safeguarding and promoting life, from conception to its
natural end. Therefore, it is with pleasure that I express great appreciation
for this faithfulness which requires a consistent Christian life, courageous
initiatives, careful preparation, constant formation and updating.
I find it also significant that the
periodic election of the administrative bodies of the Association takes place
in the course of the Congresses dedicated to the most relevant topics and
problems which involve Christian morality.
I have repeated many times in my
meetings with health care workers, your profession corresponds to a vocation
which commits you to the noble mission of service to man in the vast, complex
and mysterious field of suffering. With the same love of Christ you will see in
the one who suffers, a friend, a brother or sister.
As I said in the recent Apostolic
Exhortation: "It is to such people - doctors, nurses, other health care
workers, volunteers - that the call becomes the living sign of Jesus Christ and
his Church in showing love towards the sick and the suffering" (Christifideles
Laici, 53).
Animated by an ecclesial
corresponsibility, you recognize among your duties that of fostering the
development of health care of the most needy peoples, contributing to health
care projects by sending doctors and equipment to developing countries. This
activity puts into practice in an exemplary manner that proper human solidarity
which promotes and furthers good relations among mankind.
3. Furthermore, I am happy to
express my gratitude for the contribution and the collaboration which your
Association continues to give to the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance
to Health Care Workers. You have wished to include such a
collaboration also among the norms of your Statutes. This Dicastery,
established to strengthen and extend the care and commitment of the Church
towards the sick, should find in you, Catholic health care workers, as well as
in all those who recognize the perennial values of service to those who suffer,
a most valuable and effective support.
In the fulfillment of your
administrative duties, may you be guided by faith, a gift of God, and, together
with the love for science, by a strong spirit of mutual understanding,
availability and openness to all those who, with you, are dedicated to the
defence and the quality of life.
May the Most Holy Virgin, Health of the Sick and Seat of Wisdom, inspire and accompany your work, on which I invoke the heavenly Blessing.