Pope: Christians called to offer medical care in imitation of Jesus

Published: 2007-03-22

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christians are called to offer medical care to the sick in imitation of Jesus, who chose physical healings as the way to demonstrate "the nearness of God and his merciful love," Pope Benedict XVI said. The dignity of the human person, who has a right to health and medical assistance, "is confirmed and strengthened by the commandment of love, the center of the Christian message," the pope told members of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry. Pope Benedict met the members March 22 during their plenary assembly at the Vatican. The pope said Catholic health care is an "exquisitely evangelical" field of work and ministry because it is modeled on the ministry of Jesus. "When he passed through the villages of Palestine preaching the good news of the kingdom of God, his preaching always was accompanied by the signs he worked for the sick, healing all those who were prisoners of every kind of illness and infirmity," the pope said.

Copyright (c) 2007 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 The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in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 .