Dear Papa Francisco,

On behalf of FIAMC, the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations, I would like to thank your Holiness for granting us an audience. We would like to assure you of our prayers for your continuing good health so that you can continue your wonderful ministry which has touched Catholics and non-Catholics alike. I also bring to you, warm wishes and assurance of support from His Grace Msgr William Goh, Archbishop of Singapore.

Your Holiness, we are on our way to attend the 25th FIAMC World Congress to be held in Zagreb, Croatia. The theme “From Humanae Vitae to Laudato si” highlights the commitment of the Federation (with a membership of approximately 80 national member countries representing over 100,000 healthcare individuals) to promote the authentic teachings of the magisterium of the Church as expressed in the papal encyclicals. One of the objectives of this congress is to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae which is one of the most important documents ever written. It is also an occasion for our members to reaffirm their pledge to promote pro-life and pro-family policies in their own countries.

The Congress is also an opportunity for member countries to share the work they have been doing in an exhibition entitled “Evangelisation and Works of Mercy”.

For the first time there will be a parallel congress for young doctors and medical students. This is the culmination of 4 years of work by the committee set up specially to engage our younger colleagues to provide opportunities for them to meet and share.

Holy Father, in response to your call during the Year of Mercy, FIAMC in collaboration with the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco will be launching a humanitarian mission program called ACTS (A Call To Share) to enlist the national associations to help the poorer communities throughout the world. This will provide an opportunity for doctors to live the social mission of the Church and a way towards sanctification in their chosen vocation. The main objective of this program is to provide education to every child which is the only sustainable way of alleviating poverty. In the process, we hope to be little mirrors of God’s love. Christian charity is more than giving alms to the poor and providing succour to those who are suffering. It’s about walking together with them, holding their hands and showing them that we care and in the process, manifest the face of God.

Often, when we send our doctors on missions, the initial feeling of the doctors is that they are going to save the world. However, once they experience the Joy of Service, they realize they are the ones who have benefitted the most. In our ACTS mission, we have worked with youths, from Australia, the United States, Cambodia and Singapore. Mission work appeals to the young and would be a great way of introducing our younger colleagues to the activities of our national associations.

We hope that your Holiness will accept the gift of the projects of ACTS and endorse the proposed collaboration with the Salesian Sisters.

Thank you very much for receiving us in audience.
Respectfully Yours,

Dr John Lee President FIAMC

(Photo: Vatican Media)