focus
HEALTH OF THE SICK AND SALVATION OF SOULS
Church and society in this dark hour of history
O
nOctober 23 Voice 201, of theFamilyheldaninternationalconferenceinRome,at HotelMassimod’Azeglio,onthe Health theme of the sick and salvation of souls – Church and society in this dark hour of history.Theconferencewasalongawaitedopportunitytogather again in person after many months and it generated a wholesome discussion about crucial moralquestionsattherootof thecurrentcontroversiessurroundingthepandemic. At this conference we sought to examine the moral theological, socio-medical, historical and spiritual aspects of the Covid-19 crisis to see how the Church takes care of both the healthof thebodyandthesoulof herchildrenasagoodmother;shehasdone thisthrough out history and she is also doing it today when chaos appears to reign in the world and also withinherstructures.Sheprovidesthemoralcompassintoday’strials,andhelpsusmake properassessmentsof thepandemicandthemanycriticalquestionsassociatedwithit.Above all,shehelpsherchildrentomaintainspiritualhealthatachallengingtime. It was our particular hope that the conference would help us to create a well-ordered witnesstolifeandthefamilytoday.Withmanydebatesgoingon,wemustnotlosesightof whatwearefightingfor.Wefightforeverylife,bornandunborn,tobeprotectedsoitcan flourishintheknowledge,loveandserviceof God. To remain true to our mission amidst current controversies, we must unite evermore strongly in the perennial teaching of the Church. This is our way forward in a spirit of charitywhichgrowsfromtheloveof thetruth. Among those present at the conference were numerous priests and their Eminences CardinalRobertSarahandCardinalFrancisArinze,bothformerprefectsof theCongregation forDivineWorship. ThedaywasconcludedwithsolemnAdorationof theBlessedSacramentinhonourof StRaphaeltheArchangel,patronof health,bodyandsoul.
17
