Medicine and Faith Congress in Lourdes. The 23rd World Congress of the FIAMC (the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations) was held in Lourdes, France, from May 6th through 9th. The congress …More
Medicine and Faith Congress in Lourdes.
The 23rd World Congress of the FIAMC (the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations) was held in Lourdes, France, from May 6th through 9th. The congress was sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers. Its president, Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski and Bishop Jaques Perrier of Lourdes attended the event alongside the FIAMC's President, Dr. José María Simón Castelvi.
Thirty of the speakers from around the world reflected on the theme "Our Faith as Doctors". An appealing session was also held about the Catholic doctor's mission to protect life.
Father Maurizio Faggioni, the ecclesiastic assistant of the FIAMC, explained why the Shrine of Lourdes was chosen to host the event.
"An encounter in Lourdes because for doctors Lourdes represents the incarnation of God's mercy, and doctors -- in particular Catholic doctors -- are the ones who "show" God's mercy. Mary heals, asking God for the grace to heal; and a doctor heals, asking God for the grace to be a good doctor. So I believe that faith and the medical profession present a challenge, because a doctor who has faith finds in faith new reasons -- strong reasons -- to serve, to be highly-trained and to establish healthy, profound and authentic relationships with patients. For this reason, this encounter in Lourdes is wonderful."
The 23rd World Congress of the FIAMC (the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations) was held in Lourdes, France, from May 6th through 9th. The congress was sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers. Its president, Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski and Bishop Jaques Perrier of Lourdes attended the event alongside the FIAMC's President, Dr. José María Simón Castelvi.
Thirty of the speakers from around the world reflected on the theme "Our Faith as Doctors". An appealing session was also held about the Catholic doctor's mission to protect life.
Father Maurizio Faggioni, the ecclesiastic assistant of the FIAMC, explained why the Shrine of Lourdes was chosen to host the event.
"An encounter in Lourdes because for doctors Lourdes represents the incarnation of God's mercy, and doctors -- in particular Catholic doctors -- are the ones who "show" God's mercy. Mary heals, asking God for the grace to heal; and a doctor heals, asking God for the grace to be a good doctor. So I believe that faith and the medical profession present a challenge, because a doctor who has faith finds in faith new reasons -- strong reasons -- to serve, to be highly-trained and to establish healthy, profound and authentic relationships with patients. For this reason, this encounter in Lourdes is wonderful."