Participation of the Network of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care in the Conference of the Pontificate for Health Care Workers
Participation of the Network of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care in the Conference of the Pontificate for Health Care Workers
NEWS RELEASE
November, 17, 2016
Participation of the Network of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care in the
Conference of the Pontificate for Health Care Workers
General Secretary of the Pontifical Council Msgr Jean-Marie Mate Musivi Mupendawatu, Secretary of State of the Holy See Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Coordinator of the Patriarchal Network for Pastoral Health Care Fr. Stavros Kofinas
The 31st Conference of the Pontifical Council for Heath Care Workers that took place at the Vatican between the 10th and the 12th of November, 2016 concluded its proceedings. The Conference’s theme was “Towards a Culture of Health that is Welcoming and Supportive at the Service of People with Rare and Neglected Pathologies”. Great emphasis was given to the pharmacological support of persons that suffer from these pathologies, particularly in countries where there is economic and social deprivation.
The Coordinator of the Patriarchal Network for Pastoral Health Care, Protopres. Stavros Kofinas, who was invited by the Council of the Pontificate, took part in the Conference. Fr. Kofinas related the prayers of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and stressed that, “even though we may not be able to find the needed or proper drug to combat a disease, we must not forget that our human presence and our expression of love, as bearers of God’s philanthropy, is the greatest medicine that we have.”
During the Conference, the Coordinator of the Patriarchal Network met with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the President of the Pontifical Council, Cardinal Peter Turkson, where they discussed how the Council of the Vatican and the Network of the Patriarchate can develop further working relations.