Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care to mark anniversaries
(January 29, 2010) A three-day event, including a conference and an art exhibit in
Rome will mark the 18th World Day of the Sick and the 25th anniversary of the founding
of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care. The event on the theme,
"The Church in the Service of Love for the Suffering" will start on Feb. 9 and conclude
on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Feb. 11, the Catholic Church’s annual World Day
of the Sick. A 28-piece art exhibit will focus on Pope John Paul II and his relation
to suffering. The three days of conferences will give participants a look at themes
ranging from pain and suffering from the point of view of Judaism, Hinduism, Islam
and Buddhism; to pain and suffering in African and Asian cultures. Participants will
also consider fruits from nearly two decades of World Days of the Sick, with contributors
from Mexico, Ivory Coast, Poland, Korea and other places. Various representatives
from the world of health care professionals will speak at the conference.