At a press conference in Rome that preceded a three-day conference of
healthcare workers, the president of the Pontifical Council for Health
Pastoral Care discussed the challenges facing Catholic hospitals around
the world. In wealthier nations, “serious challenges exist, beginning with the preservation of the identity of Catholic hospitals and other health centers, and the maintenance of their specific role of subsidiarity,” said Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski.
Other “fundamental issues” include “full respect for life from conception to natural end; the humanization of healthcare, which means showing full respect for patients, their identity and life experiences; [and] palliative care.”
Archbishop Zimowski lamented the lack of access to basic healthcare in poorer nations: “people often die on account of a lack of basic medicines costing just a few dollars, as in the case of anti-malarial treatments,” he said.
Father Augusto Chendi, the pontifical council’s undersecretary, announced that in February, the council would publish some theological reflections for patients and their caregivers.
“Our intention in entrusting this manual to the Church, and to the world of healthcare, parishes and voluntary work, is to create a communion of grace, prayer and mutual charity,” he said.