(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis and the Roman Curia are in the middle of their weeklong Spiritual Exercises in Ariccia, outside Rome. According to L’Osservatore Romano, the retreat master, Carmelite Father Bruno Secondin, has shared reflections with the Curia on the prophet Elias. In his reflection, Fr Secondin compared the worship of the false idols in…
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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis and the Roman Curia are in the middle of their weeklong Spiritual Exercises in Ariccia, outside Rome. According to L’Osservatore Romano, the retreat master, Carmelite Father Bruno Secondin, has shared reflections with the Curia on the prophet Elias. In his reflection, Fr Secondin compared the worship of the false idols in…
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Vatican City, 24 February 2015 (VIS) – The Pontifical Academy pro Vita will dedicate its upcoming general assembly to end of life assistance to the elderly. The assembly, which will take place in the New Synod Hall from 5 to 7 March, is the 21st to be held by this institution, and the official theme is “Assisting the Elderly and Palliative Care”.
During the assembly, on 6 March, there will be a workshop open to the public, especially scholars, healthcare and pastoral workers, and students who are interested in acquiring a deeper knowledge of the theme from a number of viewpoints: theological-philosophical, ethical and medical, cultural and social.
In the first session of the Workshop, “Clinical care for the elderly at the end of life”, following a brief general introduction to the theme by Bishop Ignacio Carrasco de Paula, president of the Pontifical Academy pro Vita, a number of specific issues will be considered, such as medical care for the elderly with chronic degenerative illlnesses, the use and abuse of analgesics in palliative care, nursing care for the terminally ill, and clinical decision-making processes for the elderly at the end of life.
The second session will be dedicated to ethical and anthropological perspectives, and will focus on the central role of relationships with the elderly in family, social and hospital contexts, and guidelines for accompanying the elderly as they near death, with respect for their dignity and avoiding any form of abandonment or euthanasia.
The day will conclude with the analysis of socio-cultural perspectives. The third session will be dedicated to the spirituality of the elderly in later year, legal aspects of the end of life, pastoral care and the role of the family, ending with the question, “What is social solidarity?”….
Vatican City, 24 February 2015 (VIS) – The Pontifical Academy pro Vita will dedicate its upcoming general assembly to end of life assistance to the elderly. The assembly, which will take place in the New Synod Hall from 5 to 7 March, is the 21st to be held by this institution, and the official theme…
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(Vatican Radio) Catholic Church leaders in Britain are urging people to reflect on the Gospel values at the heart of their vision of society, as they look ahead to the general election scheduled to take place on May 7th.
At a press conference held in London on Tuesday, the head of the bishops conference of England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols said a letter has been sent to Catholics encouraging them to think deeply about the different election issues and to challenge political candidates who prefer simplistic, ideological slogans.
In the weeks leading up to the ballot, the Bishops’ Conference website will feature a series of short films and articles focused on specific areas such as family and life issues, poverty, education, immigration, religious freedom, overseas aid and climate change.
Philippa Hitchen spoke to Cardinal Nichols to find out more about the bishops’ initiative:
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Cardinal Nichols said the bishops are appealing for a quality debate which springs from a vision of the human person and the way they flourish in society…..
Regarding the issues of immigration, he said “I would love to see a political leadership that doesn’t play to peoples’ fears” but instead raises expectations of how Britain, as a prosperous country, can welcome those in need…..
On the critical question of the economy, Cardinal Nichols said it’s important to see beyond a “pull up your socks and do it yourself” option on the one hand and an “endless pit of hand outs” on the other. He said we need to ask why there are levels of poverty in Britain today where people in employment are going to food banks because they can’t afford to support their families….
The Cardinal noted he has been encouraging discussions with the business community in Britain through an initiative called ‘Blueprint for Better Business’ but he said it’s difficult to get the politicians on board….
The Cardinal believes there’s no such thing as a purely ‘Catholic vote’ in Britain but he stressed people are looking for leaders with a vision of building a better world, at home and abroad.
(from Vatican Radio)…