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Statement by Bishop Michael Router on Pope Francis’ Message for the World Day of the Sick 2021
05/Feb/2021
Statement by Bishop Michael Router on Pope Francis’ Message for the World Day of the Sick 2021
As chair of
the Council for Healthcare of the Irish Episcopal Conference, I welcome
Pope Francis message for the World Day of the Sick which takes place on, 11 February, the Feast of Our Lady of
Lourdes.
The past year
has been an extraordinary one. As a deadly and disruptive virus circled
the world, we became more acutely aware of the importance of healthcare
provision and the contribution of those working on the frontline. Pope
Francis, in his message, states that the World Day of the Sick provides
an “opportunity to devote special attention to the sick and to those who
provide them with assistance and care both in healthcare institutions and
within families and communities”.
The Pope
reminds us that, as Christians, we should always practice what we preach and
reach out in a tangible way to those who are sick and
suffering, particularly the marginalised and the poor. Thankfully,
so many people, through both secular and religious groups, are doing so by
reaching out to those who most need help in their local communities. Such
outreach has provided a beacon of hope and positivity in an otherwise challenging
time.
Pope Francis
emphasises that sickness makes us very aware of our own vulnerability, our need
for the care and assistance of others and our dependence on God. Illness
is experienced at more than just a physical level. It can also be
accompanied by fear and bewilderment, particularly, when we are faced with our
own powerless. Sickness normally raises questions about the meaning of
life which we bring in faith before God.
The Pope also
draws attention to how the current pandemic has highlighted and aggravated
the “inequalities in healthcare systems and exposed inefficiencies in the
care of the sick”. This has come about because of many different factors:
political decisions, the unequal distribution of resources and a lack of commitment
to equal healthcare for all. Health is essential for the common good,
therefore, care and assistance for the sick should always be a priority.
At the heart
of the Pope’s message is an insistence that for therapy to be effective it must
have a “relational aspect” which can enable a more holistic approach
to the patient. There must be a relationship of trust between healthcare
professionals and those who receive their care and expertise. Pope
Francis describes it as a relationship based on “mutual trust and respect,
openness and availability”. He points to the example of Jesus in the
gospel who “heals not by magic but as the result
of an encounter, an interpersonal relationship”.
The Pope
concludes his message by stating that a society is truly human when it cares
effectively for the sick and suffering in a spirit of communal love. We
must all strive to make sure “that no one will feel alone, excluded or
abandoned”.
Pope Francis
entrusts the sick, healthcare workers, and all those who assist the suffering
to the care of Our Lady. In the midst of the health crisis caused by
Covid-19, I encourage all the faithful to take part in the Novena to Our Lady
of Lourdes, from 3-11 February, to pray for those who are sick, for all who
work in the medical profession, and for an end to the pandemic.
ENDS