Vatican urges fight against
stigma, discrimination and prejudice of leprosy
 |
| A person with Hansen's disease (AFP) |
Cardinal Peter Turkson, the Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery
for Promoting Integral Human Development, released a message on the occasion of
66th World Leprosy Day, marked on Sunday, January 27.
By Robin Gomes
The Vatican is urging the international community not only
to help eliminate Hansen’s disease but also to end the stigma,
discrimination and prejudice attached to it by treating those hit by
it with love, compassion and solidarity.
Cardinal Peter Turkson, the Prefect of the
Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, made the call in a message
on the occasion of 66th World Leprosy Day, marked on Sunday,
January 27.
“The theme for this year’s World Leprosy Day, “Ending
discrimination, stigma, and prejudice,” teaches us clearly that one of the
most critical needs in the lives of those experiencing this devastating disease
is love,” the cardinal wrote.
He noted that over 200,000 new cases of Hansen’s disease or
leprosy are reported annually, with 94% of them in 13 countries, striking
especially the neediest and poorest people. Hence, as Pope Francis said,
it is important to keep solidarity alive with these brothers and sisters who
are disabled as a result of this disease.
Love and compassion
Even though the multidrug therapy (MDT) and skilled clinical
service have proven effective in addressing this illness, Card. Turkson noted,
“no institution can by itself replace the human heart or human compassion when
it is a matter of encountering the suffering of another.”
The Ghanaian cardinal the cited the approach of Jesus, the
Divine Physician, who heals not from a distance but by drawing near, coming in
direct contact with and touching the person with leprosy.
As models of this, he pointed to the 19th century St. Damien
de Veuster of Molokai and St. Francis of Assisi who cared for and kissed the
person with leprosy. Both of them saw in the lepers the figure of Christ
crucified. “Every true encounter,” the cardinal said, “has the power to
restore life and hope.”
Card. Turkson urged the fight against Hansen’s disease and
the stigma, discrimination and prejudice attached to it, by cooperating and
collaborating with government agencies and NGOs in helping the complete
integration of the person in all of his or her bodily and spiritual
dimensions.
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