Talk 1:

WHAT IS THE CULTURE OF LIFE?

Fr Stephen Boyle

Talk 2:

BRINGING THE CULTURE OF LIFE TO YOUNG CATHOLICS IN HEALTHCARE

Dr Adrian Treloar

Talk 3:

WORK AS PRAYER

Fr Gerard Mary OFM Conv.

Audios of the Third Annual CMA Youth Conference

Wanted and Valued: Bringing the Culture of Life to Young Catholics in Healthcare

Delivered by Dr Adrian Treloar at the third annual CMA youth conference.

Work as Prayer

Delivered by Fr Gerard Mary OFM Conv. at the third annual CMA youth conference.

What is the Culture of Life?

Delivered by Fr Stephen Boyle at the third annual CMA youth conference.

 

 

Catholics in Healthcare: 

Building a Culture of Life

Background to the Conference:

Good healthcare involves far more than simply understanding the pathophysiology of a disease. It requires an understanding of the patient’s experience of their disease. This subjective experience of suffering is ‘the cry of the soul’ to which we as Catholics in healthcare can offer so much (cf St Giuseppe Moscati). Good health then involves a comprehensive physical, spiritual and psychological wellbeing.

There are two Ways: one of Life and one of Death, and there is a great difference between the two Ways… 

(The Didache)

From the earliest times, the Christian has known of the battle between ‘the way of Life’ and ‘the way of Death’ (cf the Didache). To follow ‘the way of Life’ involves following Him who is the source and giver of life, whereas to follow ‘the way of Death’ is to follow him who deceives: who promises that which he does not have the power to give (cf Mt 4:9-11).

The aim of the conference was to present Catholic culture as a comprehensive alternative to the secular culture of death. This was inspired by Pope John Paul II’s description of a culture of life at odds with a culture of death. This modern culture of death involves many bioethical issues such as marriage, abortion etc. However, the Catholic culture of life is joyful, and it is the recipe to living ‘the good life’ and obtaining the beatific vision. Furthermore, Catholics in healthcare have a critical role to play in the building up of a culture of life. For example, GPs and midwives support expectant mothers in welcoming new life into the world; nurses and healthcare assistants care for and affirm the dignity of older people; policy makers can boldly respond to the issues of contraception, abortion and euthanasia; parents can be the first protectors and educators of their children; and we can all be a voice for the unborn, elderly and those at the margins especially when they are our patients.

 

The conference consisted of three talks, a panel discussion and refreshments. 

Over 70 people attended.

There are two Ways: one of Life and one of Death, and there is a great difference between the two Ways…

– The Didache 

The Culture of Life in the Teachings of the Popes

Pope Benedict XVI: “I hope that new generations of health care workers will be the bearers of a renewed culture of life!”

Humanae Vitae, the most debated encyclical in modern history?

Pope Francis to the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations: Promote the Culture of Life

Pope John Paul II’s Evangelium Vitae (the ‘Gospel of Life’), and the New Evangelization