CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE
of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands
P.O. Box 398, Waigani, NCD, Papua New Guinea
Ph: (675) 325 9577; Fax: (675) 323 2551
Email: cbcgensec@catholic.org.pgPASTORAL LETTER - 2011 - YEAR OF THE SICK
Dear brothers and sisters,
On February 11, World Day of the Sick and the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, Pope Benedict XVI issued the annual message about the Sick. In the letter he invites people of every race and nation throughout the world to think about those among us who are sick so that Christian love, compassion and care is given to those who suffer from all kinds of illness and disease. This yearly event, begun by Blessed Pope John Paul II, has become a special occasion to reflect upon the mystery of suffering and above all an occasion to help our church communities and civil society become more sensitive to the plight of our sick brothers and sisters. "If every person is our brother or sister, much more must the sick, the suffering and those in need of care be at the centre of our attention, so that none of them feels forgotten or marginalized; indeed, the true measure of humanity is essentially determined in relationship to suffering and to the sufferer."(Extract from the message of Pope Benedict XVI, World Day of the Sick, 2011)
The Pope reminds all of us about the mystery of the suffering of Christ so that men and women who are experiencing all kinds of sicknesses might have the courage and strength to share in the mystical suffering of Christ in their own realities. The Holy Father also calls on those involved in health care ministry in the different fields, medical, social and spiritual, to be completely committed and dedicated in their different professional responsibilities in attending to the sick and the suffering. Furthermore, he extends the invitation to those in authority to invest more in health care structures that will provide help and support to the sick and the suffering, especially the poorest and those who are most in need. This is a message that our own leaders here in PNG and SI should carefully consider.
The Catholic Bishops Conference, following our National Pastoral Plan, has designated 2011 the Year of the Sick for Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. As we reflect on Pope Benedict XVI's call and invitation, we should ask some serious questions in relation to the sick and the suffering. What does the Year of the Sick 2011 mean to us both individually and collectively? What can we do that will be a genuine and compassionate response to the needs and the aspirations of the suffering and the sick present with us in our families and in the community? How can we participate in providing quality health and pastoral care to the sick and suffering in the love of Jesus Christ?
Is there anything we can do about the poor health services in our communities? Let us all reflect seriously on the realities in our locality in regards to health services, not only medically but also spiritually, that are provided to the suffering and the sick, both for young and old, especially for the children. Generally we may agree that there are numerous efforts and interventions made in caring for the sick and the suffering. We acknowledge and appreciate the dedicated services of doctors, nurses, community health workers, pastoral workers and priests in this challenging and demanding field of responsibility. However, there is still more to be done. In fact the demand is extremely high compared to the human and the technical resources involved in the whole mission.
The established health care institutions in many cases, especially in the rural areas are not equipped with adequate medical supplies and equipment. For example, some medicines are likely to be out of stock for a long time before the arrival of new supplies. In some cases, there are poor health facilities unable to cater for the increasing number of patients. Even in urban hospitals there are cases when basic medical equipment is not functioning, such as an x-ray machine out of order for a long time and medical supplies are not in stock. Perhaps too there will not be an adequate supply of donated blood in the blood bank. Consequently, people are dying silently and needlessly in these unfortunate circumstances.
The shortage of competent health professionals poses a great threat to human wellbeing and life in many places in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. There are very few medical specialist doctors working within our health system. Hence, many sick people are not able to receive proper medical attention due to expensive medical fees, high cost of transportation services and other related costs. Also in some medical institutions such as Aid Posts and Health Centers, one often finds only a skeleton medical staff trying to cope with the increasing demand of attending to a growing number of patients. Unfortunately, in some places people have to walk for many kilometers and hours to receive medical attention. Some may even walk for days to reach the nearest Aid Post or a Health Sub-Centre.
In so many cases, sick and suffering people are longing and waiting to receive spiritual help from the Pastoral Workers, especially from a Priest or minister for the sick in the parish. They would like to have a Priest or lay minister visit them and pray with them in their suffering. But all of us should have concern for the sick, especially for those who are very old or who are dying. We believe in divine healing, protection and consolation. It is very unfortunate that many sick people are denied religious celebrations such as the Sacrament of Confession, the Eucharist and the Anointing of the Sick, that would give them courage, hope and strength in their sufferings. Sometimes the family themselves are preventing their sick relatives from receiving the sacraments. Many times, we are either too busy or do not care enough to visit the sick and the suffering in our parishes.
The immediate family members, the members of the extended family and clan should be the first people to respond to the needs of the sick and the suffering of one of their members. This should be during the whole period of sickness. However, in reality that is not always the case. Sometimes the sick person is suffering and in agony due to neglect from his or her own family members. Even if the patient is brought to a Hospital or a Health Sub Centre and is admitted for close attention by the health workers, the visits to him or her by the relatives are very minimal rather than regular. Sometimes it takes a long while before any form of assistance and hope such as good food, clean drinking water and words of consolation are received from relatives.
These situations pose inevitable threats to healthy human family life in our society. Hence, all Christians and people of good will are not only called but also challenged to assist wherever possible in providing quality services to the sick and the suffering. We need to be concerned about our brothers and sisters in the human family. We need to be able to see the face of Christ in their faces. Their pain and suffering is a call for us to hear their cry and to act responsibly in charity, love and respect to wipe away their tears.
This means that we need to make every attempt to improve our way of acting in responding to the needs of the sick and the suffering. Perhaps we have to change direction in order to make our service become more effective and efficient. Thus, let those in authority hear the voice of Jesus Christ as the disciples heard it on the Sea of Galilee after a disappointing fishing night. "Cast the net to the right side of the boat and you will find some," said Jesus (Jn.21:5). Trying something new requires courage, faith and self confidence.
It also requires an attitude and behavior change towards the patients. Those who are called, according to their professional and duty-bound responsibilities, need to reach out in charity and love with open arms and hearts. Such people include doctors, nurses, community health workers, priests, lay ministers and family members of the patients. As they share in the healing ministry of Christ, let the words of Christ, who said to the paralytic "Stand up! Take your bed and go home." (Mt.9: 6), be heard through their ministries of service by the sick.
All Christians and people of good will are called in a very special way during this year 2011 to make every effort to participate, according to their individual capacities and possibilities, to render quality service to the sick and the suffering. May the words in the Scriptures: "I was sick and you took care of me." (Mt. 25:36a) and "….Truly, I say to you: whenever you did this to one of the least, of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me." (Mt. 25:40) be words of motivation, encouragement and strength. May the Risen Christ, who was always concerned for, and ministering to, the sick and the suffering, not only physically but also spiritually, be our mission as well in this year and beyond. May we all stand united in Christ. May we be inspired by the Holy Spirit to take on this challenge with charity, respect and renewed commitment. Let us provide quality medical and spiritual services to the sick and the suffering in our communities, ethnic groups, parishes and society as a whole.
To our health workers: We your bishops want to express our deep gratitude and appreciation to you who labor under very difficult conditions. On our part we are doing our best to get the partnership with the State working properly so as to support you in all that you do for our sick people. Keep up the great work!
To our priests and pastoral workers: We acknowledge and appreciate the efforts you are doing in your pastoral ministry to the sick. May you be assured of our continuous support and encouragement.
To our sick people: We are all inspired by the witness that you give to us in bearing your sufferings courageously in order to "complete the sufferings of Christ" (Col.1:24). We encourage you to make your own the creed of suffering expressed so well by our beloved Blessed John Paul II, that suffering is the most beautiful gift, even if it costs, that Jesus can give a soul; that after having led you to Golgotha, suffering will lead you to the joy of resurrection (Salvifici Doloris).
Yours in the healing ministry of Christ.
(Archbishop Francesco Panfilo, SDB)
Catholic Bishops Conference of PNG /SI
Contact: Bishop Rochus Tatamai msc,
Diocese of Bereina, P.O.Box 300, Boroko, NCD
Email: rjtatamai@online.net.pg
Email: zmlak56@gmail.com
