| Dear Friends,
Let me express the great joy and hope I feel at the occasion of the World Congress of the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations, hosted by our Korean Federation of Catholic Medical Associations. In 2002, we gather in this historical place, Seoul, where has been the martyrdom place and the capital of the only divided Nation in the world, South Korea. This land is full of footmarks of those martyrs who have been living for witness of the gospel and the love of Christ, and who endured all the thorny hardships.
It is a great privilege to welcome so many delegates from world Catholic doctors associations, so many friends from various countries, knowing that language barriers and cultural differences will not be barrier us from sharing a common faith, a system of ethics and universal task, namely that of serving the sick, the destitute and the oppressed, in the spirit of Christ's healing love, as we have been taught by His Gospel of Life.
To us, Catholic doctors, the new Millennium is a hope and at the same time it is a challenge. It is a hope because, in the new Millennium, there is much room for us, Catholic doctors, to evangelize the world by inviting many people to the church through our modern medical activities. With our training, we as Catholic doctors together with other professionals can be the "salt of the earth" and be the engine of growth for the church.
On behalf of the local organizing committee of the 21st Worid Congress of FIAMC, I welcome all of you and I extend our deep gratitude to all who will be joining our Worid Congress. Sincerely yours in Christ. Joon-Ki Kang, M.D.
President, Korean Federation of Catholic Medical Associations |
