Pope: No aid institution can
replace human compassion
 |
| Seminar on the Ethics of Health, 1st October 2018.- ANSA |
In an address to the participants of the IV Seminar on
Ethics in Health, Pope Francis stresses the importance of forming a bond of
profound humanity between health workers and their patients.
By Francesca Merlo
Pope Francis based his speech around 3 key words: miracle,
care and trust. These three words are very valuable in a world in which health
in general “and particularly in Latin America, is living through an era marked
by the economic crisis”, said the Pope.
A brother in every face
With regards to the first word, ‘miracle’, the Pope said,
“Those responsible for the institutions will tell me, and rightfully so, that
we cannot perform miracles”. But, he explained, a miracle is
not doing the impossible. A miracle is looking at an ill, helpless person and seeing
a brother.
The Pope explained that “we are called upon to recognise the
immense value of every person’s dignity, as a human being, as a son of God”.
This, cannot fix every hitch of society, but it can “clear the way for change”,
in our minds and in our society.
The value of giving and receiving love
The second word: care. Because curing an ill person does not
simply involve applying pharmaceuticals. “We know that when someone who is
terminally ill is in serene, human company, they perceive this solidarity.”
Even in these difficult cases, when the person can feel such love, respect and
acceptance, the value of their being becomes their capability to give and
receive love, not their productivity”, said Pope Francis.
One’s life in the hands of another
The final word is ‘trust’. Pope Francis’ first example, is
“the trust the ill person has in themselves, that they will get better”. Of no
less importance is the worker, who must be able to work in a serene atmosphere,
in trusted surroundings.
“Placing yourself in the hands of someone else, especially
when your life is at risk, is very difficult” said Pope Francis. The
relationship between a doctor and their patient has always been based on
responsibility and loyalty.
Carrying hope to those who need it most
“We must fight to keep this deeply human bond whole” said
Pope Francis. “No aid institution alone can take the place of a human heart,
nor that of human compassion.”, he said, quoting Pope Saint John Paul II.
Pope Francis concluded by urging those present to carry hope
and happiness to as many families as possible who, perhaps, have none.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét