General Information Programme and texts of the Congress Conclusions

Website: http://www.fiamc.org TEXTS OF THE CONGRESS MISSIONS OF CATHOLIC DOCTORS IN COUNTRIES WHERE CHRISTIANS ARE CONSIDERED MINORITIES. Peter K.W. LEE, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine 50, Ilwn-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul 135-710, Korea The role of the doctors is to free those who are in pain. The causes of pain may vary from physical, mental, social to many others and it is doctor's job to find the cause and provide the most appropriate treatment to the patient. In order to accomplish such a task, doctors don't only need to have knowledge and experience but ethically sound conscious. Although modern medicine has advanced much, there are still many parts that have yet to be solved and it only serves to relieve the symptoms rather than cure. Many of the symptoms can degenerate not only because of the physical factor but also because of mental and emotional factors. Thus, I've seen on many occasions that patients restore their health when they are treated with care and sincere attitude. We are catholics before we are doctors who are called to live life as witnesses of the gospel. As catholic doctors, we should think about the meaning of true christians who are required to follow christian ethics and morals and of course our greatest teacher is Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus Christ healed those who were in pain, who were possessed by devil, and those who were considered outcasts of the society. He gave them freedom and eternal life which became the basis of the Christianity. We need to follow his footsteps and become true doctors who can free those who are in pain and neglect. It is difficult to sacrifice and offer medical service as true doctors in this modern society where everything is measured according to monetary basis. Especially high-tech medical equipments increased medical cost which instigated enormous deficiency in medical benefits and it further incited doctors to become focused on self-interest. The doctors' conduct basically depends on what kind of religious life one is leading and how christian consciousness shaped. In other words, it's doctor's duty to think about the patient's benefit first and give the treatment which insures the patients freedom and autonomy. Doctors should always be kind and caring to patients and their family and only then we will experience true christianity and through such action we can spread the word. Moreover, doctors who follow ones' conscious are real missionaries to the world. An action rather than thousand words, an action of genuinely caring treatment will permeate the scent of true christian which can be the best missionary act. Catholic doctors who make up only 10% of Korean doctors and 80% of Italian doctors share the same responsibility and obligation. It is not catholic doctors' job to go from door to door to spread the word but to sacrifice ones' interest for the benefit of patients so that they will learn the true meaning of Christianity and desire to become a part of it. I'd like to talk about my life as a catholic doctor. I was baptized at 6 with mother's urge and thence I had to lead compulsive religious life. I once thought about the meaning of religion but I failed to probe deeper and develop necessary reverential attitude. After graduating from medical school and fulfilling military obligation, I emigrated to the U.S. Twenty years in the U.S. was a stepping stone for me to enhance my religions maturity. Through Sunday school, retreats, Ph.D. courses in Catholic medical ethics, I experienced Christendom and realized that I must become an acting christian. After 20 years in the U.S., it was difficult for me to adjust to the ever changing Korean life style. Especially, it was difficult for me to maintain my Christendom as an acting christian. However, I continued my Cursillo activity by having a weekly meeting for three years at a parish that I belonged to. There we shared one's religious experience by giving religious confession and looking back to one's religious life. It was a good chance for me to strengthen my christendom. Next I tried to activate religious meeting of catholic doctors at my work place. There are about 204 doctors and 500 resident physicians at Samsung Medical Center and about 15% of them are baptized catholics. However, only 30 of them claim themselves as real catholics. I tried to have a weekly meeting to share stories and even invited fathers to give talks. However, it was difficult for busy doctors to participate and only a few ended up coming. On one occasion, 20 doctors came and we had really a meaningful time together but didn't last for long. After struggling for two years I had to give it up for one or the other reason that they are either busy or had other priority. It was very disappointing and depressing time for me. After looking for some kind of volunteer work I met a Italian priest who is belong to Oblati Missionary at in Korea. The priest was running a shelter for homeless people and he requested for weekly medical checkup for these people. A team of 2 doctors, a nurse and 2 volunteer aids was formed and we started to give medical checkup every Tuesday. Of course the father started the program but it is encouraged for everyone to participate irregardless of religion and it is being carried out every week, 52 times a year. We try to have catholic doctors to participate and we have many who does for 4 years. Now the program has grown to such a extent that we have many organizations showing much interest in the program. My team volunteers 2 times a month while other team fills in for the remaining weeks. I myself have many responsibilities such as a chairperson of the department at school and at the hospital but through such an activity I try to offer medical benefit to those who are neglected by society. It is important to think about where one should set one's priority in one's life. Often, I treat patients for personal interest rather than religious activity. I know that conscious christians with firm belief are supposed to work for others before one's interest but in reality it's very difficult to carry out. In conclusion, catholic doctors should be equipped with a sound medical ethics and morals. To live as a conscious christian, one must try to mature as a religious person. Next, we catholic doctors should always think about patients first and act on behalf. With such a sacrificial act, we can permeate the scent of true christian which can be the strongest missionary work ever. Last, the doctors with enthusiastic nature should volunteer to offer services in places where medical service is scarce or non-existent. It is an act of paying back the grace I've received from God. We all need to try to become doctors who follows Jesus and act out His teaching and thus become the salt and light of the world.