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FOCUS Health of the sick and salvation of souls: Church and society in this dark hour of history
HEALTH OF THE SICK AND SALVATION OF SOULS
Church and society in this dark hour of history
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On 23 October 2021, Voice of the Family held an international conference in Rome, at Hotel Massimo d’Azeglio, on the theme Health of the sick and salvation of souls – Church and society in this dark hour of history. The conference was a long awaited opportunity to gather again in person after many months and it generated a wholesome discussion about crucial moral questions at the root of the current controversies surrounding the pandemic.
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 health of the body and the soul of her children as a good mother; she has done this throughout history and she is also doing it today when chaos appears to reign in the world and also within her structures. She provides the moral compass in today’s trials, and helps us make proper assessments of the pandemic and the many critical questions associated with it. Above all, she helps her children to maintain spiritual health at a challenging time.
It was our particular hope that the conference would help us to create a well-ordered witness to life and the family today. With many debates going on, we must not lose sight of what we are fighting for. We fight for every life, born and unborn, to be protected so it can flourish in the knowledge, love and service of 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 charity which grows from the love of the truth.
Among those present at the conference were numerous priests and their Eminences Cardinal Robert Sarah and Cardinal Francis Arinze, both former prefects of the Congregation for Divine Worship.
The day was concluded with solemn Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in honour of St Raphael the Archangel, patron of health, body and soul.
