Vatican’s message for 60th World Leprosy Day

January 25, 2013 - The Vatican on Friday called for more Good Samaritans to engage in the treatment and service of those affected by leprosy or Hansen’s disease, saying there is still lack of access to centres and treatment for the disease that can deform and disable if untreated. The Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care issued a message on the occasion of 60th World Leprosy Day, Sunday, Jan 27. The message signed by Council president, Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, cited World Health Organization figures, which said that about 220,000 men, women and children contracted leprosy in 2011 and many of these new cases were diagnosed when the disease was at an advanced stage. This, he said, indicates there is still insufficient level of access to centres that offer diagnoses and of a lack of education as regards prevention in communities that run the risk of contagion, as well as the need for specifically designed medical and hygienic initiatives. On the occasion of the 60th World Leprosy Day, Archbishop Zimowski invited all to be good Samaritans to those in need, and held out examples such as St. Damian of Molokai, St. Marianne Cope, Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta and Raoul Follereau, the Frenchman who began the World Leprosy Day. The prelate also called on victims of leprosy to cooperate in establishing a more inclusive and just society where those who have been cured are integrated.