Hajja Salesjana

Photo by Dominik Lange on Unsplash.com With today's rapid scientific and technological advancements the possibility of physical healing has drastically increased, the Pope observed. However, the ability to truly care for the person has almost gone in the opposite direction. Some aspects of medical science "seem to diminish the ability to 'take care' of the person, especially when they are suffering, fragile and defenseless," he said, explaining that advancements in science and medicine can only enhance human life if they maintain their ethical roots. "Attention to human life, particularly to those in the greatest difficulty, that is, the sick, the elderly, children, deeply affects the mission of the Church," the Bishop of Rome continued, saying that oftentimes modern society tends to attach one's quality of life to economic possibilities. Frequently the quality of a person's life is measured by their physical beauty and well-being, he observed, noting how the more important interpersonal, spiritual and religious dimensions of human life are often forgotten. "In reality, in the light of faith and of right reason, human life is always sacred and always 'of quality'," he said. "No human life exists that is more sacred than the other, just like there is no human life qualitatively more significant than another solely in virtue of resources, rights, economic opportunities and higher social status." Pope Francis told the group that as Catholic doctors, it is their mission to affirm the sacredness and inviolability of human life, which "must be loved, defended and cared for," through word and example, each in their own personal style. He encouraged them to collaborate with others, including those with different religions, in seeking to promote the dignity of the human being as a basic criterion of their work, and to follow the Gospel's instruction to love at all times, especially when there is a special need. "Your mission as doctors puts you in daily contact with so many forms of suffering," he said, and he encouraged them to imitate the Good Samaritan in caring for the elderly, the sick and the disabled. By remaining faithful to the Gospel of Life and respecting life as a gift, difficult decisions will come up that at times require courageous choices that go against the popular current, the pontiff noted, saying that this faithfulness can also lead "to conscientious objection." "This is what the members of your association have done in the course of 70 years of meritorious work," the Pope observed, urging the doctors to continue implementing the teachings of the Magisterium into their work with trust and humility. Photo by Carlo Navarro on Unsplash.com 9 Jannar - Marzu 2023 hajja