The healing and the caring

By Deacon Michael Tan, 4 May 2023
A priest anoints a pregnant woman during the 2023 World Day of the Sick Mass at St Patrick's Church, Mary Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown. Image: Diocese of Parramatta

 

Healthcare in today’s world has great complexity. From the moment we see the doctor, to the moment of receiving a diagnosis and treatment, there is much technical complexity that our healthcare professionals navigate every day to ensure that the treatment of our health problems is effective, safe and ethical. Given this complexity, it is also important for us as a Church community to remember that caring for the sick and the dying is at heart a very simple matter. For example, when a member of our family becomes sick or is dying, we care for that family member without any other consideration than that we have a personal relationship with this family member whom we love.

Yet, what has love got to do with professional care of the sick and the dying? Does not love violate professional boundaries, and bring about a lack of objectivity in the care of the sick and dying members of our community? Yet, at the same time, in following Jesus as missionary disciples, we are called to care for the sick and the dying in his name. Our vocation as disciples involves a call to care for the sick and the dying with the mercy, love and compassion of Jesus for the sick and the dying.

For the Catholic healthcare professional, this means that technical excellence in caring for our patients is never merely a technical matter of best evidence-based practice. It is also about care that is patient-centred and ethical, that respects and upholds life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death.

The care of the sick and the dying also has a sacramental dimension. The Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Anointing of the Sick all address the sacramental needs of sick and dying members of our Catholic community. Finally, all care has a pastoral aspect, for we are all called to accompany the sick and the dying in their journey with Gospel love and compassion.

To respond to the issues raised in this reflection, all interested, especially young people interested in becoming healthcare professionals, are invited to attend a Healthcare Ministries formation session at the St Patrick’s Cathedral Cloister Hall, Parramatta, on Saturday 20 May from 9:30 am to 12:30pm.

Register today via met@parracatholic.org. For further information, contact Deacon Dr Michael Tan at Michael.Tan@parracatholic.org

 

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