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Palazzo San Calisto, 00120 VATICAN CITY (Phone/Fax: +39 06 6988 7372 - http://www.fiamc.org) Executive Director: Mrs Isabelle Biondi  SUMMER LETTER Special issue by François Blin (18 Sept. 2005) For several reasons, FIAMC Newsletter could not be sent since the end of January, and the web site could not be updated since the last days of May. Please accept our apologies. Here is a very short summary of the main events since the beginning of the year 2005 CONTENTS Help to the victims of the Tsunami (26 Dec. 2004) World Day of the Sick (Yaounde, Cameroon, 11 Feb. 2005) FIAMC Executive Committee meeting (Rome, 4-5 March 2005) Death of our Holy Father, the Great Pope John Paul II (2 April 2005) FIAMC congratulates the new Holy Father (20 April 2005) Struggle against euthanasia in the Council of Europe Farewell from Father Vitor Feytor Pinto Welcome to Father Maurizio Calipari Oral contraceptives increase risk of some cancers (3 August 2005) Help to the victims of the Tsunami (See the website of AFCMA) FIAMC has developed a project with PERDHAKI to provide relief to Aceh and Nias. Nias in addition to being affected by the Tsunami was devastated by an earthquake on Easter Monday. During the course of discussion we have establish that there is a need to develop a hospital in Nias. We need to proceed on to the next level from here and there is a need to involve a few relevant parties in the discussions. This would include Prof Gian Luigi Gigli (President FIAMC), Dr Francois Blin (Hon Secretary FIAMC), Prof Kwang-ho Meng (President AFCMA), Dr Simon Castellvi (Spain), Dr Robert Walley (Matercare International), Dr Felix Gunawan, Dr Albert Hendarta and Dr Widjo (Indonesian Catholic Doctors' Community), Dr Sally Ho and Dr Joseph Ong (Singapore) The people involved in this information group are concerned Catholic doctors who have indicated a desire to help in any project to relieve the sufferings of the vctims of Tsunami. The proposal at the moment is to develop a hospital suitable for the needs of the people of NIAS. Dr Felix Gunawan will drive the project as he has been involved full time in the Tsunami relief and has the resources and local knowledge. We have negotiated with the diocese of Gunong Sitoli/Nias for the diocese to donate the land. This is important not only financially but because it signifies a commitment of the diocese to the project. Dr Felix has indentified a religious congregation FSGM Sister Congregation who will administer the hhospital and see to the recruitment of scarce medical personnel. FIAMC will help to coordinate the project and where necessary bring in foreign expertise. This is a massive project which will require the assistance of everyone. As a necessary first step, Dr Felix will develop a project proposal which would include a simple need analysis (eg population served) and rough costing. He will also sign a MOU with the diocese of Gunong Sitoli/Nias agreeing to the donation of the land for a hospital. As we are all members of FIAMC I would suggest that the MOU be between FIAMC and diocese of Gunong Sitoli/Nias... Any comments or suggestions from anybody? Thank you for your interest in helping... John Lee, MD (May 09, 2005) World Day of the Sick Yaounde, Cameroon, 7-14 Feb. 2005 Cardinal Lozano in a village The "World Day of the Sick" took place this year in Yaounde (Cameroon). His Eminence Cardinal Lozano-Barragan was the Holy Father's legate, and the papal delegation included a representative of FIAMC. The hospitality of the Cameroon government was on the scale of the African Continent. The Church represents very certainly there a hope in front of the rising tide of the AIDS. The work of the priests and the nuns, coming from nearly all countries of Subsaharian Africa to give testimony, is very impressive. A light of hope appears. a regression of the epidemic begins, notably in Uganda. It seems that education is more effective than the condom. About it, Cardinal Lozano said that the major commandment is " Thou shalt not kill ". There were many speakers, and many opportunities to meet doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and missionaries from many African countries. The journey ended by a short visit of health institutions, hospitals, and villages. FIAMC Executive Committee meeting Rome, 4-5 March 2005 The meeting of the FIAMC Executive Committee allowed at first to prepare FIAMC next International Congress (Barcelona, Spain, 11-14 May 2006). All the officers and the presidents of the continental Federations presented their activity reports. It was possible to collect important donations for the victims of Tsunami, which were transmitted to the local associations. The Indonesian catholic medical association, though small and not yet member of FIAMC, does an important local work, which can be followed on the Web site of the Asiatic Federation of Catholic Medical Associations (AFCMA). The statutes of the FIAMC, as well as those of all Catholic World Federations, have to be modified in order to be in agreement with the new canon law. This will be done during the next congress. The Associations will be informed six months before. From Life to Life John Paul II called Home by the Heavenly Father The catholic doctors remember the great witness of Christ FIAMC prays for the friend of the patients and of their doctors Dear Friends and Colleagues, Pope John Paul II Magnus (The Great) ended yesterday night his earthly journey and was called back home by our Heavenly Father. Since October 16th 1978, in the middle of the winds of stormy changes, John Paul II has been the helmsman which leads with steadfast hand Peter's boat towards the open sea: Duc in altum! For more than 26 years, he led the Church in the midst of events which not only marked the history of the world, but were also responsible for deep transformations in science and in medical practice. During this long time, the word of the Pope enlightened the minds and the hearts of health professionals and of the people of God on issues concerning health, life, health care assistance, biomedical sciences, bioethics, and profession to doctors and the other health care workers. In the course of the past 26 years the word of the Pope has been a constant point of reference for medical doctors and the whole world of health. We appreciated the abundance of his Magisterium on the issues related to our profession, starting from "Salvifici Doloris", the first pontifical document on the theological value of suffering, and from the great Encyclical "Evangelium Vitae", a true Magna Carta for all those who put their profession at the service of human life. We will never forget that the first of these two documents was released to satisfy the request presented by FIAMC at the end of its XV World Congress in Rome, in October 1982. We admired his love for the sick in the many meetings he had with the sick and disabled and in the visits to Hospitals in Rome and in many parts of the world, starting with the first day after his election, when he left the Vatican to visit a friend of him, Mgr. Deskur, in a Roman hospital. We rejoiced in receiving the motu proprio "Dolentium Hominum" with which, for the first time in the history of the Church, an organic and coordinated work was started on a world wide scale in the field of the Health Pastoral, and the motu proprio "Vitae Mysterium", with which the Pontifical Academy for Life was established. We were filled with joy also at seeing him raise to the honour of the altars some significant figures of doctors of the present day, such as Giuseppe Moscati, Riccardo Pampuri, Gianna Beretta Molla, Pere Tarrès. In the course of the last few years, we participated, in the dioceses and on a world scale, in the celebration of the Day of the Sick, contributing to give life to a positive intuition of his, intending to bring to the attention of the authorities, of public opinion, and of the Church the suffering man, icon of Christus patiens. He granted special audiences to FIAMC four times: during the XV World Congress in 1982, when he moved from the Vatican to come in the Congress site; during the Congress of the Great Jubilee in 2000, two days after receiving the prayer he had composed for us; on the occasion of the 1st International Workshop of Catholic Obstetrician/Gynaecologists in 2001; and at the end of the Congress on Vegetative State in 2004. We received from the Pope, in the course of the Great Jubilee of the year 2000, the Prayer of the Doctor, which we had asked and which was specifically composed for us, daily source of inspiration and comfort in the hardships and dilemmas of our profession. Above all, the Holy Father has been for us a Teacher on the desk of suffering, since the days when someone attempted to take his life in 1981, when, together with so many people from all over the world, we prayed that Divine Mercy and Mary's intercession could save his life for the good of the Church, and, thanks to God, our prayers were answered. These few words are sufficient to point out the great and lasting attention that the Pope has paid in these years of Pontificate to the issues of medicine. However, it is only by going back and reading his speeches and writings that it is possible to fully grasp the love and esteem with which he has surrounded our profession. A love and an esteem arrived to the point of going to Prof. Crucitti's home to visit, after his death, the surgeon who had operated him after the shooting and of kneeling on the tomb of his friend Prof. Lejeune in Paris. A love and an esteem which are certainly due to his awareness that the problems of birth, of suffering and of death are at the center of man's religious experience and that the way in which they are faced is the measure to evaluate the level of civilization of human societies. They are, however, also the esteem and love which come from a man who is personally deeply marked by the experience of suffering and is able, therefore, to fully appreciate the value of the medical art and the importance of health care and of scientific and biomedical research. It was his love for those who suffer and for their doctors, that we intended to witness with the CD released on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his election. Not only John Paul II marked the history of the XX century. More importantly he marked the hearts and the spirits of many people. You will forgive me if, in this moment of profound emotion, I recall at this point some personal memories. I was in the middle of the crowd on October 16th 1978, when the joyful news, Habemus Papam, was announced to the huge people gathered in St. Peter's Square in the beautiful and warm evening typical of the Roman autumn. After the very first words with which, unexpectedly, he decided to address the crowd, I felt clearly that a new wind was inflating the sails of the the Church's boat. Every fear of the future, every feeling of inferiority in front of modern times and cultures had vanished all of a sudden. For those who had not yet understood it became clear a few days later, during his first pontifical Mass, when he said aloud: Don't be afraid! I was taking part in a debate in a television in the afternoon of May 13th 1981. There was at that time the campaign for the referendum on the abortion law in Italy. The broadcasting of the debate was interrupted abruptly to announce the news of the shooting in St. Peter's Square. A few days later, I had the opportunity to make one of the deepest spiritual experiences of my life. In his room at the Gemelli Hospital, I had the privilege to assist to the Mass that he concelebrated with his personal secretary, dressing only the liturgical stole above his hospital clothes. No word was said, but his face transmitted an unforgettable spiritual message of abandonment to the will of God and to the love of Mary. Before he left the hospital I could meet him once again and I will never forget the eyes with which he looked at me, captured by a photographer. During the following years, I attended many times his services in St. Peter's and once I could also attend his private morning Mass in his private chapel. Thanks to my service in the Italian Association of Catholic Doctors, there were many opportunities to meet him, also personally, and I had the possibility of reading and of present the offerings during his Masses. But it was only after becoming the President of FIAMC that I had the privilege of presenting him the address of FIAMC on three occasions. He has blessed personally my wife and all of my five children. As a specialist in Neurology, I was taught every day by the strength, dignity and serenity with which he faced the illness that has been a companion for him during the last years. He granted me an undeserved honor when he appointed me an ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy for Life. His Pontificate coincided exactly with the entire second half of my life and marked profoundly my spiritual, familial and professional life. Thank you Holy Father for all your gifts. You have been for us a true father and a great teacher. The Catholic Doctors are sure you are already contemplating the face of Christ in the Heavenly Jerusalem. We pray that the Church will soon recognize you among the Saints. We pray that you continue to intercede for us and for our patients. "In Paradisum deducant te Angeli. In tuo adventu suscipiant te Martyres et perducant te in Civitatem Sanctam Jerusalem." Gian Luigi Gigli, MD, President of FIAMC Udine, 3 April 2005 HABEMUS PAPAM! 20 April 2005 TENEMOS PAPA 20 April 2005 Click for Biography In communion with the entire Church, we rejoice for the election of BENEDICT XVI The quick solution offered by the Cardinals to the difficult succession of John Paul the Great is a sign of unity and of their readiness to accept the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The prayers of the Church have been fulfilled: in continuity with his great predecessor, of whom he was the closest collaborator, the new Pope has the spiritual, moral and intellectual authority to be a capable helmsman, able to lead with steadfast hand Peter's boat towards the open sea among the agitated waters of our difficult times. Duc in altum! The new Pope is convinced that the power of man has grown more than its ethical awareness and that, against the "dictatorship of relativism" which is taking shape and against the modern fashions of agnosticism and syncretism, it is necessary to grow in an adult faith: "Mature is not a faith that follows the waves of fashion and the latest novelty; of full stature and mature is a faith profoundly rooted in friendship with Christ." It is this friendship which "gives us the criteria for discerning between true and false, between trickery and truth" Benedict XVI not only has faith in Jesus Christ, but is firmly convinced of the possibilities of the human reason, of its ability to recognise the truth, while fully loving other human beings. "Truth and love coincide in Christ. To the extent that we get closer to Christ, even in our life, truth and love will merge. Love without truth would be blind; truth without love would be like 'a clashing cymbal.' (1 Cor:13-1)." In the frontier of bioethics, the Catholic Doctors will be aside the Pope in presenting, with love, the eternal truth about the dignity of all human beings. The name of the new Pope echoes the name of St. Benedict, whose disciples evangelised Europe, gave new dignity to the human work and built up the fundaments of western civilization. The name of Benedict also recalls the benediction of God. We Catholic Doctors thank and praise the Lord for continuing to assist his Church. We pray Jesus for his new Vicar on earth. May the Church be blessed abundantly, through the work of the "simple and humble worker in the Lord's vineyard", Benedict XVI. Gian Luigi Gigli, M.D., President, World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations (FIAMC) En comunión con toda la Iglesia, nos regocijamos por la elección de Benedicto XVI La rápida solución ofrecida por los Cardenales a la difícil sucesión de Juan Pablo el Grande es un signo de unidad y de su disposición a aceptar la inspiración del Espíritu Santo. Las oraciones de la Iglesia han sido satisfechas: en continuidad con su gran predecesor, de quien fue su más cercano colaborador, el nuevo Papa tiene la autoridad espiritual, moral e intelectual necesaria para ser un buen timonel, capaz de liderar, con mano firme, la nave de Pedro hacia el mar abierto entre las aguas agitadas de nuestros tiempos difíciles. Duc in altum!. El nuevo Papa está convencido que el poder del hombre ha crecido más que su conciencia ética y que, contra la "dictadura del relativismo", que está tomando forma y contra las modernas modas del agnosticismo y sincretismo, es necesario crecer en una fe adulta : " la madurez no es una fé que sigue las olas de la moda y la última novedad; de plena estatura y madurez es una fé profundamente enraizada en la amistad con Cristo". Es esta amistad la que "nos da el criterio para discernir entre lo verdadero y lo falso, entre el ardid y la verdad". Benedicto XVI no sólo tiene fe en Jesucristo, sino que está firmemente convencido de las posibilidades de la razón humana, de su habilidad para reconocer la verdad, al tiempo que ama profundamente los seres humanos. Verdad y amor coinciden en Cristo. En la medida en que estemos próximos a Cristo, aún en nuestra vida, la verdad y el amor se fusionarán. El amor sin la verdad sería ciego; pero la verdad sin el amor sería con un "címbalo que golpea" ( Corintos 1, 13-1) En la frontera de la Bíoética, los Médicos Católicos estarán al lado del Papa presentando, con amor, la verdad eterna sobre la dignidad de todos los seres humanos. El nombre del Papa nos evoca al nombre de San Benedicto, cuyos discípulos evangelizaron Europa, dando una nueva dignidad al trabajo humano y construyendo los fundamentos de la civilización occidental. El nombre de Benedicto también recuerda la bendición de Dios. Nosotros, Médicos Católicos, agradecemos y rezamos al Señor pidiendo continúe asistiendo a la Iglesia. Nosotros rezamos a Jesús por su nuevo Vicario en la tierra. Sea la Iglesia bendecida abundantemente, a través del trabajo del "simple y humilde trabajador en la viña del Señor", Benedicto XVI. Gian Luigi Gigli, M.D., Presidente, Federación Mundial de Asociaciones de Médicos Católicos (FIAMC). Lettre du Père Vitor Feytor Pinto Lisbonne, 1er septembre 2005 Le Père Pinto est devenu l'Assistant ecclésiastique de la FIAMC après le Congrès de Porto en 1994. Sa bonne humeur, sa chaleur humaine, et sa constante aimabilité ont été appréciée de tous les membres du Comité Exécutif de la FIAMC. Nous lui adressons nos plus vives félicitations à l'occasion du 50e anniversaire de son sacerdoce. A letter from Fr. Vitor Feytor Pinto Lisbon, 1st september 2005 Father Pinto became FIAMC ecclesiastical Assistant after the Porto Congress in 1994. His cheerfulness, his human warmth, and his constant kindness were appreciated by all the members of FIAMC Executive committee. We send him our deepest congratulations for the 50-th anniversary of his priesthood. Mon 3e Mandat d'Assistant Ecclésiastique de la FIAMC étant terminé, j'ai reçu de la part du Secrétariat d'Etat du Saint-siège, une lettre me remerciant pour l'action déployée au cours de ces 11 années au sein de cette Fédération Internationale des Médecins Catholiques. Dispensé de ces fonctions, j'ai été informé que le nouvel Assistant Ecclésiastique de la FIAMC sera le Rév. Don Maurízio Calipari, officiale della Pontificia Accademia per la Vita. Je tiens à remercier le Secrétariat d'Etat, en la personne de SER Monseigneur Sandri, pour ses paroles d'amitié et de reconnaissance à l'égard de mon travail, notamment en ce qui concerne la fidélité vis-à-vis du Magistère de l'Eglise. Ensuite, je voudrais féliciter Don Maurízio Calipari d'avoir obtenu la confiance du Saint-siège qui l'a nommé pour accomplir cette tâche pastorale. Enfin, j'aimerais dire à la FIAMC, au Professeur Gian Luigi Gigli, Président, au Dr François Blin, Secrétaire Général et à tous les membres du Comité Exécutif, que travailler avec vous tous dans ce domaine de la pastorale au service de la médecine a été un grand plaisir. Je me souviens particulièrement des Congrès de New York, de Rome et de Séoul. La FIAMC assume de grandes responsabilités en termes de défense des valeurs éthiques dans l'exercice de la médecine et des soins médicaux. Il est impossible de poursuivre les travaux de recherche, de faire progresser les sciences et la technique, de répondre aux défis lancés par les nouvelles maladies et les nouvelles thérapies si nous ne respectons pas l'essence de l'être humain, sa dignité et ses valeurs. La FIAMC le fait d'une manière exemplaire en marquant une position claire, sans craintes, en respectant totalement l'attitude prise par les médecins catholiques, toujours fidèles au Magistère de l'Eglise et également ouverts à l'innovation scientifique et à la mise à jour de la pratique médicale. Pour moi, le travail développé pastoralement au sein de la FIAMC a été une grâce de Dieu, que ce soit sous la présidence du Prof. Walter Osswald, ou du Prof. Gian Luigi Gigli. J'ai beaucoup appris et j'ai essayé de collaborer avec tous le mieux possible. Je prie le Seigneur pour qu'il continue à soutenir tous les membres de la FIAMC et les différentes fédérations et associations qui lui sont rattachées, de façon à témoigner la vérité dans l'art difficile d'une médecine qui, tout en étant moderne, respecte l'Homme à tous les niveaux. Je ne peux que me souvenir des très beaux moments vécus à la FIAMC, parmi lesquels je tiens à souligner les rencontres avec Sa Sainteté le Pape Jean-Paul II, les réunions avec les membres du Conseil Pontifical pour la Pastorale de la Santé et avec les membres du Conseil Pontifical pour l'Apostolat des Laïcs, la visite au Monastère de Subiaco, entre autres. En cessant mes fonctions, je tiens à réaffirmer toute mon admiration et mon amitié profonde à l'égard de tous les membres du Comité Exécutif et je prie Dieu de vous apporter toutes ses meilleures bénédictions. Enfin, je remercie toutes les félicitations reçues à l'occasion de la célébration de mes Noces d'Or Sacerdotales. Cela fait 50 ans que je suis prêtre et je veux poursuivre ma tâche, en étant le plus fidèle possible au Christ, à l'Eglise et à mes frères. Prions les uns pour les autres. P. Vítor Feytor Pinto My third term as the FIAMC Ecclesiastical Assistant being ended, I received from Secretary of State of the Holy See, a letter thanking me for the action spread during these 11 years within this International Federation of the Catholic Doctors. Ending these duties, I was informed that the new Ecclesiastical Assistant of the FIAMC will be Rev. Don Maurízio Calipari, officiale della Pontificia Accademia per Vita. I want to thank the Secretrariat of State, in the person of His Grace Mgr Sandri, for the words of friendship and recognition towards my work, notably as regards the allegiance toward the Magistery of the Church. Then, I would like to congratulate the Don Maurízio Calipari for having obtained the confidence of the Holy See who appointed him to carry out this pastoral task. Finally, I would like to say to the FIAMC, to the Professor Gian Luigi Gigli, President, to the Dr François Blin, General Secretary, and to all the members of the Executive Committee, that to work with all of you all in this domain of the pastoral in the service of the medicine was a great pleasure. I particularly remember the Congresses of New York, Rome and Seoul. The FIAMC assumes important responsibilities in terms of defence of ethical values in the exercise of medicine and medical care. It is impossible to to carry on research works, to make science and technique progress, to take up the challenges of the new diseases and the new therapies, if we do not respect the essence of the human being, his dignity and his values. FIAMC does it in a exemplary way by marking a clear position, without fears, respecting totally the attitude stood by the catholic doctors, always faithful in the Magistery of the Church and also opened to scientific innovation and to the updating of medical practice. For me, the work pastorally developed within FIAMC was a grace of God, both under the presidency of Prof.. Walter Osswald, or of Prof.. Gian Luigi Gigli. I learnt a lot and I tried to collaborate with all as well as possible. I pray the Lord for he carries on supporting all the members of FIAMC and the different federations and associations which are connected, in order to give evidence of the truth in the difficult art of a medicine which, while being modern, respects Man at all levels. I can only remember the very beautiful moments lived in FIAMC, among which I want to underline the meetings with His Holiness Pope John-Paul II, the meetings with the members of the Pontifical council for Health Care and with the members of the Pontifical council for Laity, and the visit in Subiaco's convent, among others. While ending my duties, I want to reaffirm all my admiration and my deep friendship towards all the members of the Executive committee and I ask God to bring you all his best blessings. Finally, I thank you for all the congratulations received on the occasion of the celebration of my Priestly Golden wedding. It is now 50 years since I have been a priest and I want to go on with my task, being the most faithful possible to Christ, to the Church and to my brothers. Let us pray for each others. Fr. Vitor Feytor Pinto Welcome to Father Maurizio Calipari Udine, 13 June 2005 I am very glad to inform you that I received from the Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, official communication of the appointment of the new ecclesiastical assistant of FIAMC. For this important office of our Federation the Secretary of State selected an excellent candidate in the person of Fr. Maurizio Calipari, Ph.D. Fr. Calipari is currently working as an Official of the Pontifical Academy for Life. He is an expert in bioethics and earned a doctorate in Moral Theology. He has already collaborated with FIAMC in several activities, including the preparation the recent congress on Vegetative State. In this moment, I would like to present him the warmest and friendly welcome on behalf of all of you and I would like to thank the Secretary of State for the attention demonstrated towards FIAMC with this excellent choice. I would like also to thank from the deepest of my heart, Fr. Victor Feytor Pinto, who served in FIAMC for more three terms and who could not be reappointed again. During these years, Fr. Pinto was a good friend and a continuous source of inspiration. He was a reliable reference in many difficult moments when wisdom was particularly needed. It will be found an official moment, as soon as possible, to celebrate formally the change of the Assistant and to express personally to Fr. Pinto our sincere gratitude and friendship. Since now, I invite all of you to join in prayer for the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination, on the 10th of July 2005. I take this opportunity to greet all of you and to remind you to encourage the largest participation in the World Congress of Barcelona, marking the 40th Anniversary of the foundation of FIAMC. Yours in Christ Gian Luigi Gigli, President Oral contraceptives increase risk of some cancers The conclusions of a WHO study 3 August 2005 The International Agency for Research on Cancer, the Lyon based cancer research agency of the World Health Organization, in its press release of the 29 th of July 2005, informed of the publication of a monograph on the possible carcinogenicity combined estrogen-progestogen oral contraceptives and combined estrogen-progestogen menopausal therapy, based on the conclusions of an international ad hoc working group of 21 scientists from 8 countries. Previously, combined oral contraceptives had been determined to be carcinogenic to humans, but only primary liver cancer was specifically implicated. The Working Group, after a thorough review of the published scientific evidence, concluded that combined oral contraceptives alter the risk of several common cancers in women. Estrogen-progestogen oral contraceptives were classiflied in the Group 1 of carcinogenic agents. This category is used when there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans. These conclusions are of enormous public health importance, since it is estimated that worldwide, more than 100 million women &endash; about 10% of all women of reproductive age &endash; currently use combined hormonal contraceptives. In addition, there has been widespread use of hormonal menopausal therapy: approximately 20 million women in developed countries. For all these women, the message is that the use of oral contraceptives increases the risk of breast, cervix and liver cancer. On the contrary, the risks of endometrial and ovarian cancer are decreased in women who used combined oral contraceptives. Rearding combined estrogen-progestogen menopausal therapy, WHO warns that it increases the risk of breast cancer and endometrial cancer (at least when progestogens are taken fewer than 10 days per month) and that there is not sufficient evidence to conclude that hormonal therapy has a protective effect at any cancer site. The WHO experts call to a rigorous analysis to demonstrate what can be, at the end, the overall net public health outcome of the use of oral contraceptives. In addition, each woman who uses these products is now invited by WHO to discuss the overall risks and benefits with her doctor, taking into consideration her personal circumstances and family history of cancer and other diseases. FIAMC invites all health care providers to attentively consider the results of the WHO study, which sheds new light on the prophetical value of Paul VI' Humanae Vitae I and of John Paul II' Evangelium Vitae encyclicals, and encourages catholic doctors to spread the methods for natural family planning also in western affluent societies. Gian Luigi Gigli, MD President Reference: Vincent Cogliano, Yann Grosse, Robert Baan, Kurt Straif, Béatrice Secretan and Fatiha El Ghissassi, WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer: Carcinogenicity of combined oestrogen-progestagen contraceptives and menopausal treatment - Lancet Oncology 2005; 6:552-553