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.