Doctors Issue Pro-life Ecumenical Statement

At World Congress in Spain

BARCELONA, Spain, MAY 15, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The world congress of the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations issued an Ecumenical Declaration in favor of life, human dignity and health.

Dr. Arcadi de Arquer, who oversaw the writing of the declaration, explained: "We are convinced of the meaning and value of human life, recognized by the Christian tradition," and aware of the attacks against life "that are growing in our time."

The objective of the declaration, backed by Catholic, Anglican, Protestant and Orthodox representatives, is "to have the Christian message about respect for human life and its dignity disseminated in society, above all among health professionals."

Organizers said that the Ecumenical Declaration could be summarized in these points:

-- God as Creator of the Universe and Father of humanity is the basis of the dignity that characterizes all human beings.

-- Man is the subject, center and end of all human activity.

-- Human life in its physical dimension constitutes a fundamental and primary good for man.

-- The human being must have his most important right recognized, which is life.

-- Health is a good which must be promoted and protected.

-- Sickness and suffering can only be fully understood in the light of Christ's paschal mystery.

-- Death is the last stage of earthly life and its natural limit.

 

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