Pontifical Academy for Life: Palliative care is a collective responsibility

By Christopher Wells and Linda Bordoni

Palliative care transcends a traditional medical approach focused solely on curing illness and encompasses a holistic method that addresses physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs.

Highlighting this comprehensive approach to care, Archbishop Renzo Pegoraro said that it is the only way to guarantee that the inalienable dignity of each person is respected at every moment of their life.

“Palliative care is not just about managing pain and symptoms,” the Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy for Life told Christopher Wells of Vatican Radio. “It’s about recognizing the person as a whole and providing care that respects their dignity and humanity.”

THE Symposium, titled “Towards a Story of Hope: An International Interfaith Symposium on Palliative Care” concludes in Toronto, Canada, on Thursday, May 23. It was organized by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in collaboration with the Pontifical Academy for Life.

The PallLife project

More than seven years ago, the Pontifical Academy for Life launched the “PallLife” project to highlight the importance of palliative care around the world. Bishop Pegoraro explained that this initiative gave birth to a “White Paper” in favor of palliative care, aiming to support its development and accessibility on a global scale.

Collaborations with various entities, such as the Canadian Bishops' Conference and with Mgr Noël Simard, he continued, have fostered cultural and social support for palliative care, reflecting an indispensable synergy between ecclesiastical and medical efforts.

Holistic care

Stressing the need for a holistic perspective on palliative care, Archbishop Pegoraro said: “Palliative care is not just about managing pain and symptoms (…), it is about recognizing the whole person and provide care that respects their dignity and humanity. the fundamental values ​​of compassion and respect for human life.

Human dignity

The Federal Chancellor underlined the importance of prioritizing the patient's quality of life: “When faced with a terminal illness, the ethical response is to provide comfort, relieve suffering and support the patient and their family “.

“This approach echoes the teachings of the Church, which advocates the sanctity of life and compassion for those who are vulnerable,” he said.

Education and Advocacy

With a view to improving palliative care in the years to come, Archbishop Pegoraro called for increased education and advocacy to promote palliative care worldwide.

He said there was a need for health professionals, policy makers and society at large to understand the value of palliative care and effectively integrate it into health systems.

“Education is crucial. We need to train more health care providers in palliative care and make them aware of its benefits,” he said. “Additionally, it is essential to advocate for policies that support palliative care services to ensure that everyone has access to this compassionate care.

Objectives of the conference

The Toronto symposium aimed to foster a multidisciplinary and interactive network for palliative care. By bringing together bishops, doctors and palliative care experts, the event sought to create a stable framework of cooperation, improving access to palliative care in Canada and providing a model for all.

“This opportunity is very interesting because we have people from across Canada who share their experiences and expertise,” underlined Mgr. “Our goal is to set a framework for future activities to improve access to palliative care, inform the public, and support initiatives that create hope for many sick people and their families.”

International and interfaith dimensions

The meeting also highlighted the importance of an international and interfaith approach to palliative care.

Archbishop Pegoraro highlighted the benefits of sharing knowledge and experiences in different cultural and social contexts and observed that discussions on the prevention of euthanasia and assisted suicide, present in the legislations of various countries, highlight the need for a stronger culture and awareness of palliative care.

“Understanding global palliative care debates and initiatives is crucial,” he said. “This international approach allows us to learn from different contexts and promote a universal perspective on palliative care. »

The role of the Church

The Church, the Chancellor emphasized, plays a crucial role in promoting and supporting palliative care and the Pontifical Academy for Life is dedicated to promoting palliative care as an essential aspect of healthcare.

“Our faith teaches us to care for the sick and dying with love and compassion,” he added. “The role of the Church is to support palliative care initiatives, provide spiritual care and be the voice of those who are suffering,” and the symposium was a call to action.