We have the pleasure of presenting the program for the XVII International Conference on The Identity of Catholic Health Care Institutions.

This theme has been chosen following a directive of the Holy Father. We know that the Church is called to realize the mission of Christ's redemption in the World, and Catholic Health Care Institutions form part of this mission. The Bishop concretely realizes this mission in the diocese, first and foremost through the celebration of the Eucharist, fount and climax of the Church's life and activity. Thus it would be difficult to conceive a Catholic Health Center having no relationship with the bishop, and above all with the celebration of the Eucharist. For it is here that the Holy Spirit realizes in the contemporary world, Christ's unique action of healing the sick. The care for the sick is a sign of the presence of the Kingdom of God in the present world.

In our Conference, we shall begin with a reflection on the word of God and an assessment of the situation of Catholic Health Care Institutions in the contemporary world with its social, economic, political and religious realities. This will be followed by an in depth study, to help us understand what God expects of a Catholic Health Center in today's world. We shall study the Dogmatic, Moral and Pastoral aspects of the reality, and also seek the view of other major religions: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. After this close examination, we shall ask ourselves on what should be done in order to improve on the mission of Catholic Hospitals, the primary and permanent formation, the economic, social and political structures, the organizational and administrative aspects, the international Association of Catholic Health Care Institutions and the religious aspect of these Catholic Health Centers.

As usual, we have an international representation of speakers and moderators, chosen from among highly competent experts in the field.

We will be greatly honored by your acceptance of our invitation to participate in our XVII International Conference.

Javier Lozano Barragán
President of the Pontifical Council
for Health Pastoral Care

XVII International Conference 

7-8-9 November 2002
The New Synod Hall, Vatican City

Thursday, November 7

I.
THE CONTEMPORARY STATE OF CATHOLIC HOSPITALS

Identifying the Economic, Social, Political, Cultural and above all Religious Challenges According to Geographical Areas
(Power Point Presentations of 10 minutes each)

Africa:

Rev. Edward Phillips, M.M.(English Speaking Countries of Africa)
Adjunct Lecturer, Centre for Complementary Medicine and Biotechnology
Kenyatta University, Nairobi (Kenya)

Fr. Jacques Simporé, M.I.(French Speaking Countries of Africa)
Professor of Genetic Engineering at the University of Ougadougou (Burkina Faso)

America:

North: Dr. Richard Haughian
President of CHAC (Catholic Health Association of Canada), Ottawa (Canada)

South: H.E. Msgr. Carlos Aguiar Retes,
Bishop of Texcoco, General Secretary of CELAM (Consejo Episcopal Latinoamericano), Bogotà (Colombia)

Asia:

Fr. Yvon Ambroise
Coordinator Caritas Asia, Pondicherry (India)

Europe:

Sr. Maria del Camino Agos
General Superior of the Hospitalarian Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Spain

Oceania:

Mr. Francis Sullivan
Executive Director Australian Catholic Health Care Asssociation, Australia

Friday, November 8

II.
ILLUMINATION BY THE FAITH
OF THE CONTEMPORARY REALITY
OF CATHOLIC HOSPITALS

Chairman: H.E. Msgr. Tarcisio Bertone, S.d.B.
Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Holy See

III.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO IMPROVE
THE IDENTITY OF CATHOLIC HOSPITALS

Chairman: Fr. Sebastian Ousepparampil (India)
Director of the CHAI (the Catholic Health Association of India), Secundarabad (India)

Saturday, November 9

Chairman: Mrs. Lillian Fanjul de Azqueta
Founder and Director of the "New Hope" Foundation, Palm Beach (USA)

Information

Conference Secretariat
Via della Conciliazione, 3 - 00193 Rome, Italy
Telephone: (06) 6988-4720, 6988-4799
Fax: (06) 69883139
E-mail : opersanit@hlthwork.va
(Beginning on November 07, 2002, the Secretariat will move to the Synod Hall, Vatican City)

Entrance from Piazza del Sant'Uffizio , Left Colonnade of St. Peter's Square

For Hotel reservations and other information you may contact Raptim, Via Ostiense, 193/d - 00154 Rome. Telephone: (06) 5755988 - Fax (06) 5781394;
E-mail: booking@raptim.it

There is a registration fee of US $100, or the equivalent in local currency. Those registering will receive the special issue of the journal Dolentium Hominum containing the Conference Proceedings.

All who wish to attend the International Conference must send a written request by October 10, 2002 to the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, 00120 Vatican City.

The fee on registering may be paid as follows:

1) Outside Italy, by way of on international check or postal money order made out to the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, via della Conciliazione, 3 - 00193 Rome

2) In Italy, you may use c.c.p. n. 63353007, indicating that payment is to the Pontifical Council for Health Pstoral Care, for the purpose of registration.

There will be simultaneous translation into English, Spanish, French, and Italian.

The Proceedings, to be printed in the four official languages for the Conference, will be available in May 2003.

You must present ID badge to be admitted to the Synod Hall. You may pick up at the office of the Pontifical Council.

Bar service on the second floor will be from 9 a.m. to 1p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m..