Respect life conference focuses on end-of-life care
September 27, 2018
Vicki Evans
Catholic social teaching is the foundation of good medicine and ethical health care. That is the message of this year’s respect life conference, “The Heart of End of Life Care: Catholic Social Doctrine,” Nov. 17 at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
The program is structured to begin with an explanation of core Catholic principles that underlie care for the sick and dying, then to apply these principles to the practical realities of clinical and spiritual care. Afternoon speakers present insights on how to respond to cultural trends in contemporary medicine that are diminishing conscience rights of medical professionals.
Doctors and nurses everywhere are assailed by a changed perception of the function of medicine from “first do no harm” to “the patient is always right.” Those with the conviction that effective medicine does not include contraception, sterilization, abortion or assisted suicide are increasingly ostracized or threatened with legal action. California’s assisted suicide law presents dangers to Catholic physicians, hospitals and nursing facilities refusing to assist in or refer for a patient’s suicide. A recently signed California law threatens health care professionals with jail time for failure to use a patient’s “preferred pronoun.” Conscience clauses are now referred to as “refusal clauses” in a society where the demands of a patient trump the ethical and religious beliefs of a doctor every time.
To combat these growing trends, a group of local medical professionals has established a new San Francisco chapter of the Catholic Medical Association. The CMA’s mission is to inform, organize and inspire its members to uphold the principles of the Catholic faith in the science and practice of medicine.
Although the conference is tailored to physicians, nurses and other medical professionals and offers continuing education credits for health care professionals, anyone with an interest in end of life matters will find the conference informative and tremendously helpful in dealing with medical issues in their own lives and the lives of loved ones.
One of the day’s main events is the Archdiocese of San Francisco’s first White Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 5:30 p.m. A White Mass is celebrated to acknowledge the unique contributions made by Catholic health care professionals. It takes its name from the white coat commonly worn by those in the medical field. A wine reception will follow Mass downstairs in St. Francis Hall.
The roster of speakers includes renowned physicians from around the country: Dr. Michael Brescia, executive director of Calvary Hospital; Dr. Ashley Fernandes from Ohio State University College of Medicine, Center for Bioethics; Dr. William Toffler of Oregon Health & Science University; Dr. Natalie Rodden, palliative medicine specialist at St. Anthony Health Campus in Colorado.
Participants will also hear from Arland Nichols, president of the St. John Paul II Foundation; Christopher Kaczor of Loyola Marymount University; and USF philosophy professor, Tom Cavanaugh, who will sign copies of his new book, “Hippocrates’ Oath and Asclepius’ Snake,” at the reception following Mass.
The conference has the endorsement of Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone who states: “Converging Roads is a wonderful opportunity for you, our local medical professionals, to be renewed, informed, and inspired as you care for your patients. I encourage all involved in health care to attend as together we explore how to integrate ethical convictions and medical expertise in the care we provide the whole person.”
Vicki Evans is respect life coordinator for the Archdiocese of San Francisco
Respect life conference
The Archdiocese of San Francisco, in partnership with St. John Paul II Foundation, the University of San Francisco and the Catholic Medical Association, hosts a medical ethics conference at St. Mary’s Cathedral on “The Heart of End of Life Care: Catholic Social Doctrine.” The conference is scheduled for Nov. 17, 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. The $79 general admission cost includes breakfast, lunch and a wine and hors d’ oeuvres reception following a 5:30 White Mass at the cathedral. Continuing education credits for physicians and nurses are offered at an additional cost. Detailed information and registration can be found at convergingroads.com.
Respect Life Essay Contest
The annual Respect Life Essay Contest is a program of the archdiocesan Office of Human Life & Dignity to help educate students of Catholic schools and parish schools of religion programs on pro-life topics. Essay questions and contest guidelines are mailed to principals and pastors in October for distribution to teachers, who are encouraged to use the essay contest as a class project. Cash prizes ranging from $50-$250 are awarded to winning students at a special liturgy and awards ceremony at St. Mary’s Cathedral in February. The contest is celebrating its 30th year during which time it has reached generations of students. Contact Vicki Evans, respect life coordinator, at evansvsfarch.org or visit https://sfarchdiocese.org/hld.
