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Pope Francis: ‘Health is not a luxury'
Pope Francis emphasized the importance of universal access to healthcare and the human dimension of medical care. He praised healthcare professionals for their dedication, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and stressed that a society that discards the sick has no future. The Pope highlighted the need for a culture of care, focusing on the whole person—physical, mental, and spiritual—rather than efficiency and waste. "Health is not a luxury!" and urged governments to ensure universal access to decent healthcare.
By: Vatican News
Faith and Access: The Conflict Inside Catholic Hospitals
In a detailed exploration of the tension within Canadian Catholic hospitals, the article addresses the clash between religious convictions and the provision of comprehensive healthcare services. Susan Camm, a clinical manager at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, reacted viscerally to the presence of a crucifix in a modern hospital setting, illustrating the cultural and religious conflicts that can arise in spaces meant to serve a diverse population. The article delves into the limitations imposed by Catholic doctrine on services like reproductive health, fertility treatments, care for LGBTQ2+ patients, and medically assisted death (MAID), which conflict with the expectations of a publicly funded healthcare system that pledges universal access.
By: Wendy Glauser
Abortion accessibility in Canada: The Catholic hospital conflict
The overturning of Roe v. Wade in the United States sparked debate about abortion in Canada, including whether Catholic hospitals retain the right to impede access to abortion. The article details the story of a woman who went to St. Joseph’s Hospital, the only hospital in her city, to get an abortion in 2013. The now mother-of-two said she was referred to another hospital in Regina, which is 200 kilometres away and an approximate two-hour drive.
By: Rhythm Sachdeva