The Vatican updates its Charter for health care workers

(November 26,2011) “Your closeness and help to the sick, often affected in mind and body, reveal to the sick the face of the Saviour dying on the Cross, but to rise again. It also teaches us to protect and foster life, in whatever phase or condition it finds itself, recognising the value and dignity of every human being created to the image and likeness of God” said Pope Benedict addressing the participants in the 26th International Conference organized by Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Healthcare workers, Saturday. The Holy See is to modify its Charter for Health Care Workers, which was published in 1994 and provides a summary of Catholic Church doctrine on human life, from conception to natural death. . About 40 Bishops in charge of providing Health Pastoral Care, were among the participants. The Pope recalled the memory of his saintly predecessor Blessed John Paul II, especially in his moments of suffering. In fact the conference held on Friday and Saturday, had as its theme “Health pastoral care in the service of life in the light of the teaching of the Blessed John Paul II.” Pope Benedict appealed for a renewed promotion of his predecessor’s foundation of the “Good Samaritan” which followed his declaration of the World Day of the Sick. It was an appeal on behalf of the sick in the poorest countries of the world.