Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Thursday 28 March |
Holy Thursday of the Supper of the Lord
Aleteia logo
Church
separateurCreated with Sketch.

Sick people aren’t machines to be repaired, says pope

web3-pope-francis-visit-bambino-gesucc80-rome-children-hospital-afp-pbg01-000_vq1ms

HO / OSSERVATORE ROMANO / AFP

Aleteia - published on 05/28/18

And doctors should be able to follow their consciences

Please consider a gift for Aleteia!
Help us spread the joy of Christ's victory.
Aleteia depends on your support.

Join our Lenten Campaign 2024.

DONATE NOW

Health care professionals must oppose a tendency to “debase the sick person as a ‘machine to be repaired,'” Pope Francis said today, in an address to representatives of the World Federation of the Catholic Medical Associations (FIAMC) ahead of their 25th world congress, underway in Zagreb, Croatia.

“The tendency to debase the sick man as a machine to be repaired, without respect for moral principles, and to exploit the weakest, discarding what does not correspond to the ideology of efficiency and profit, must be opposed,” the Holy Father said.

He said that the sick must be defended as people and that medicine must be humanized.

For this, doctors should become proactive in promoting ethical legislation, particularly in regards to abortion, end-of-life care and genetic medicine, the pontiff proposed.

In this regard, he also encouraged the defense of the freedom of conscience of doctors and of all health care workers.”

“It is unacceptable that your role be reduced to simply carry out the will of the sick person or the needs of the health system in which you work,” Francis declared.

Support Aleteia!

Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Thanks to their partnership in our mission, we reach more than 20 million unique users per month!

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.

Support Aleteia with a gift today!

Gif-Anglais.gif
Daily prayer
And today we celebrate...




Top 10
See More
Newsletter
Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here.