Bishop Urges Those In Healthcare To 'reject A Throw-away Society'

“Rather than a problem to solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise.” – Pope Francis, “Ladauto Si’”

    Bishop Charles C. Thompson reflected upon Pope Francis’ words during the Oct. 12 White Mass for those in the medical community that he celebrated at St. John the Baptist Parish in Newburgh. He conveyed the message that as we live In a difficult time – in a culture that doesn’t value life or sacredness of the person in quite the same way as the teachings of the Catholic Church – we must reject a throw-away society.

“In every patient, with every situation, there is a human being; not a problem to be solved, but a gift to be contemplated with gladness and praise; and within that human being there is a soul,” Bishop Thompson said during his homily.

    He spoke specifically of the Indiana Medical Association’s recent vote to take a position against physician-assisted suicide. He praised the physicians and health practitioners who stood on the “front lines” of the healthcare battle field. He also referred to the final Code of Canon Law in the Church, No. 1752, which states that the salvation of souls must always be the supreme law of the Church.

“Healthcare (is) such a noble profession in the difficult times we live in. Yours is a vocation; a calling, not a career,” Bishop Thompson said.  “A calling understands that there’s a higher power working in and through (your) life. As Catholics working in health care, it’s not simply the Catholic Church that is the higher calling, but God’s grace, God’s presence, God’s power, God’s spirit.  In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis is encouraging us to take to heart the corporal works of mercy: you’re living this.”

The White Mass recognizes the ministry of those who protect life and care for the ill and dying, including physicians, nurses, compassionate care ministers, ministers of consolation, chaplains, mental health workers and all others in the medical profession.  

The tradition of the White Mass in the United States finds its origins in the development of the national Catholic Medical Association in the early 1930s. The White Mass, so named by the color worn by those in the healing profession of medicine, is held in recognition of the dedicated work of healthcare professionals and to ask God’s blessing upon patient, doctor, nurse, and caregiver.

The Southwest Indiana Guild of the Catholic Medical Association organized many of the details for the Mass, and several of its members held a brief presentation after the Mass to address some of the challenges that Catholics in healthcare face in today’s climate. The mass is traditionally associated with St. Luke, the patron of physicians and surgeons, whose feast day is October 18. This year’s Mass was held on Oct. 12 because of a scheduling conflicts.