Vatican officials say giving blood helps Christians heal the sick

Published: 2005-06-13

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Top Vatican officials encouraged blood donation, saying it was a powerful and practical way to carry out Christ's command to heal the sick. Pope Benedict XVI, addressing pilgrims from his apartment window June 12, sent special greetings to blood donors everywhere to mark World Blood Donor Day June 14. He said Christians should find inspiration for blood donation in Christ, who "redeemed us with his blood." Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, head of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers, celebrated Mass near the Vatican June 12 with several hundred blood donation volunteers. In a sermon, he said many give blood out of a sense of solidarity or compassion for the sick. But for Christians, donating blood should have another special meaning, he said. "Christ gave to his disciples a specific mandate: 'Heal the sick,'" he said.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .