Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI
for the
XIV World Day of the Sick
Adelaide, Australia, 11 February 2006
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The World Day of the sick will be held on 11
February 2006, the liturgical memorial of the Blessed Virgin of Lourdes. Last
year this Day was held in the Marian sanctuary of Mvolyé in
Yaoundé, and on that occasion the faithful and their pastors, in the
name of the whole of the continent of Africa, reaffirmed their pastoral
commitment to the sick. The next World Day of the Sick will be in Adelaide, in
Australia, and the events will culminate in the celebration of the Eucharist in
the cathedral dedicated to St. Francesco Saverio, the untiring missionary of
the populations of the East. On that occasion, the Church intends to bow with
especial solicitude to the suffering, calling the attention of public opinion
to the problems connected with mental disturbance, which by now afflicts a
fifth of mankind and constitutes a real and authentic social-health care
emergency. Remembering the attention that my venerated predecessor John Paul II
gave to this annual event, I, too, dear brothers and sisters, would like to
make myself spiritually present at the World Day of the Sick, so as to pause to
reflect, in harmony with those taking part, on the situation of the mentally
ill in the world and to call for the commitment of the Church communities to
bear witness to the tender mercy of God towards them.
In many countries, legislation in this field does not yet exist
and in other countries a precise policy on mental health is absent. It should
also be observed that the prolongation of armed conflicts in various areas of
the world, the succession of terrible natural catastrophes, and the spread of
terrorism, in addition to causing a shocking number of deaths, have also
created mental traumas in not a few survivors, whose recovery at times is
difficult. And in countries with high economic development, the experts
recognise that at the origin of new forms of mental disturbance we may also
find the negative impact of the crisis of moral values. This increases the
sense of loneliness, undermining and even breaking down traditional forms of
social cohesion, beginning with the institution of the family, and
marginalising the sick, and especially the mentally ill, who are often seen as
a burden for their families and the community. I would like here to thank those
who work in various ways and at various levels to ensure that the spirit of
solidarity does not decline and that people persevere in looking after these
brothers and sisters of ours, basing themselves on human and Gospel-based
ideals and principles.
I thus encourage the efforts of those who work
to ensure that all mentally ill people are given access to necessary forms of
care and treatment. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world the services for
these sick people are lacking, insufficient or in a state of decay. The social
context does not always accept the mentally ill, with their limitations, and
for this reason, as well, difficulties are encountered in securing the human
and financial resources that are needed. One perceives the need to integrate in
a better way the tandem appropriate therapy and a new sensitivity
towards disturbance so as to enable workers in this sector, in a more
effective way, to help these sick people and their families, who on their own
would not be able to take care of their relatives in difficulty in an adequate
way. The next World Day of the Sick is a suitable occasion to express
solidarity to families who have mentally sick people dependent upon them.
I would here like to address myself to you,
dear brothers and sisters burdened by illness, so as to invite you to offer
your condition of suffering, together with Christ, to the Father, certain that
every ordeal received with resignation is meritorious and draws the benevolence
of God upon the whole of mankind. I express my appreciation to those who help
and care for you in residential centres, day hospitals and wards providing
diagnosis and treatment, and I exhort them to strive to ensure that medical,
social and pastoral assistance for those in need which respects the dignity
specific to every human being is never absent. The Church, in particular
through the work of chaplains, will not fail to offer you her own help, being
well aware that she is called to express the love and care of Christ for those
who suffer and for those who look after them. I commend pastoral workers and
voluntary associations and organisations to support – in practical forms
and through practical initiatives – those families who have mentally ill
people dependent upon them, in relation to whom I hope that the culture of
welcoming and sharing will grow and spread, as a result, also, of suitable laws
and health-care programmes that envisage sufficient resources for their
practical application. The training and updating of the personnel who work in
such a very delicate sector of society is as urgent as ever before. Every
Christian, according to his specific task and specific responsibility, is
called to make his contribution so that the dignity of these brothers and
sisters of ours is recognised, respected and promoted.
Duc in altum! This invitation of Christ
to Peter and the Apostles I address to the Church communities spread throughout
the world and in a special way to those who are at the service of the sick, so
that, with the help of Mary Salus infirmorum, they may bear witness to
the goodness and the paternal solicitude of God. May the Holy Virgin comfort
those who are afflicted by illness and support those who, like the Good
Samaritan, soothe their corporeal and spiritual wounds! I assure each one of
you that you will be remembered in my prayers, and I willingly impart my
Blessing on you all.
From the Vatican, 8 December 2005
BENEDICT XVI |