Message
I would like to congratulate the organizing committee of the National Symposium for choosing a very relevant theme “Protecting, Preserving and Promoting the Gift of Human Life: Emerging Challenges.”. In this era of increasing secularization, ethics and morals are often dispensed with in the pursuit of medical excellence. This shift of emphasis towards utilitarian values in healthcare was prophesized by Saint Pope John Paul II when he talked about the “Culture of Death”.
While it is important for all doctors to continually aspire to attain new knowledge and refine their skills, the Catholic doctor understands that he is merely an instrument in God’s hands. In his humility he understands that there is very little he can do to cure the patient and the healing process begins and ends with God. Solidly rooted in charity, the Catholic healthcare worker continues Jesus’ own mission in caring for the weak and the sick. In our approach to sickness and suffering, we as Catholic Healthcare givers should be guided by a precise and all-round view of the human “created in the image of God and endowed with a God-given dignity and inalienable human rights” (Ecclesia in Asia,33)
As such I would humbly urge all of you to sign the “Declaration of Faith” which “recognize the primacy of God’s law over human law” and see the need to “counter the imposed anti-human ideologies of contemporary civilization” which can be found on MaterCare International (Obstetric and Gynaecological arm of FIAMC) website www.matercare.org.
I am sure that the participants will come away inspired as the organizers have compiled an interesting and exhaustive list of topics and excellent slate of speakers. I hope that the FIAMC Bioethics Centre will make the talks available on-line so that many others will benefit from the deliberations of the Congress.
It is with deep regret that I am unable to attend the proceedings but I would like to send the well wishes and solidarity of the international family of Catholic Doctors to all the participants of the Congress as well as our prayers for a very successful meeting. On behalf of FIAMC, I would like to express our appreciation and thanks to the organizing committee especially to His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias (Patron), Bishop Agnelo Gracias (Chairperson, Commission for Theology & Doctrine CCBI), Dr Nicholas Anton (Managing Trustee FIAMC) and Rev. Dr Stephen Fernandes (Executive Secretary CCBI and Executive Director FIAMC Bio-Medical Ethics Centre).
Thank you and God bless,
Dr John Lee President FIAMC
