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BIOETHICS 3, MIDTERMS : September 29,2417

ASSIGNMENT: COMMENTARY ANDIOR SELF-REFLECTION

INSTRUCTIONS
1 Read through the arlicle: "seeing our Medical Profession as Vocation" by Rev W. Goh (2013).

2. Type your answers on an 8.5 inches X 1 1 inches white bond paper, use Arial font, size 12.
Margins on all sides should be 1 inch. Please write only the front of each page.

3. Guide for the commentary or self-reflection on the article of Goh:

a) A critical challenge on at least 2 aspects of the article.
b) A sympathetic stand on at least 2 positions of the writer of the article.
c) Give a title to your commentary/seltreflection on the article.
4. Length: Maximum of two pages, 1.5 line spacing'

5. Print your name after your commentary, and affix your signature above your name,

6. lf you have used other references to help you in your commentary, please make the necessary
citations of the workis you have used.
7 . DATE OF SUBMISSION: OCTOBER 06, 2017, 1:00pm

physicians pledge - to defend ano proiefi nTe. rope rrus ,ltu commented on the enduring
significance of Hippocrates. He said, "Ihe works of Hippocrates are without doubt the noblest
eipression of a professiona! conscience whiclt above all else calls for respect for life and self-
saLcrifice in relation to sick people and also,pays attention to personal factars: self-control, dignity,
reserve. He knew how to present maral norms and to integrate them into a broad and harmonious
program of study, and he thus gave a present to civitization which was even more magnificent than
that made by those who buitt empires"{Pope Pius Xll, Discorso ai Medici, September 19, 1954).

As doctors, are you consciously aware that you share in God's work of healing and giving life? The
most important task of Catholic doctors is to ensure that the right to life is upheld by
promoting and defending the sanctity of life, from conception till death. Yet, it is not easy to be
a physician today. There are many challenges that a physician has to face in this modern
world because the way medicine is practiced is influenced by other factors. Besides the chaltenges,
doctors have to contend with many temptations.

Firstly, the temptation to material rewards and fame. In a society that is as affluent as ours, there
is a real and subtle tendency to succumb to the lure of material rewards, money and fame. Patients
are no longer seen as persons but as a means to make money. As a result, this can lead to over'
charging and neglect of the poor. However the first reading tells us that God "shows no respect of
personages to the detriment of a poor man, he listens to the plea of the injured party. He does not
ignore the orphan's supplication, nor the widow as she pours out her story." Hence, being God's
Heating Ministers, physicians are to care especla lly tor lhe poor and not only those who can afford
medical treatment. In tandem, neither should medical service or research be undertaken for the
purpose of fame and recognition. As all life is sacred, there can be no discrimination in care, with
regards to social status, religion, nationality, race or politics.
Seeing our Medical Profession as a Vocation

Medical Guild Annual Mass

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS FOR PHYSICIANS

27 October 2013, Sunday

SCRIPTURE READINGS: ECCL 35:12-1 4.16-19; 2 TIM 4:6-8' 1 6-1 8; LK 1 8:9-1 4

One of the noblest vocations in life is to be a medical doctor. Why are doctors so highly
respected in society? lt is because physicians share a very important aspect of God's work, which
is to give and sustain life" For there can be no greater value than life itself. No one wants to die.
Everyone wants to live. Physicians are thus chosen and entrusted by God with this responsibility of
Life itself; as they have to dealwith it in every aspect - from beginning to end i.e. in birth, growth,
illnesses, diseases, suffering, dying and finally death.

As coltaborators with the 'Author of Life', doctors must ensure that respect for the
sacredness of life is upheld at all times. For this is the basis of the Hippocratic Oath which
physicians pledge - to defend and protect life. Pope Pius Xll commented on the enduring
significance of Hippocrates. He said, "Ihe warks of Hippocrafes are without doubt the nablest
expression of a professional canscience which above all else calls for respect for life and self-
sacifice in retation to sick people and also pays attention to personalfactors: self-control, dignity,
reseve. He knew how to present moral norms and to integrate them into a broad and harmonious
program of study, and he thus gave a present to civilization which was even mare magnificent than
that made by those who built empires"{Pope Pius Xll, Discorso ai Medici, September 19, 1954).

As doctors, are you consciously aware that you share in God's work of healing and giving life? The
most important task of Catholic doctors is to ensure that the right to life is upheld by
promoting and defending the sanctity of life, from conception till death. Yet, it is not easy to be
a physician today. There are many challenges that a physician has to face in this modern
world because the way medicine is practiced is influenced by other factors. Besides the challenges,
doctors have to contend with many temptations.

Firstly, the temptation to material rewards and fame. In a society that is as affluent as ours, there
is a real and subtle tendency to succumb to the lure of material rewards, money and fame. Patients
are no tonger seen as persons but as a means to make money. As a result, this can lead to over-
charging and neglect of the poor. However the first reading tells us that God "shows no respect of
personages to the detriment of a poor man, he listens to the plea of the injured party. He does not
ignore the orphan's supplication, nor the widow as she pours out her story," Hence, being God's
Healing Ministers, physicians are to care espec ially for the poor and not only those who can afford
medical treatment. ln tandem, neither should medical service or research be undertaken for the
purpose of fame and recognition. As all life is sacred, there can be no discrimination in care, with
regards to social status, religion, nationality, race or politics.
Secondly, there is the moral dilemma. Pride in science and technology has led many to moral
relativism and self'reliance. Man has become arrogant and has no respect for the sacredness of
the human person or for God. As a result, the focus on the scientific and technological aspects of
man's work has resulted in a one-sided emphasis, particularly in the area of bioethics, where
because of secularization; the vision is often utilitarian and materialistic. ln other words, the end
justifies the means. There is no intrinsic value in the embryo or the human person and so it can be
used and destroyed, unlike the Catholic Church's belief in the intrinsic dignity of the human person,
including the embryo. Since nature is changing according to secularists, technology is used to
tamper with evolution such as the employment of lVF, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD),
embryonic stem cells, cloning and synthetic life. Such moral relativism cannot but eventually lead
to nihilism, as no objective truth can be found since there is no right or wrong. ln the light of such
challenges, the Church warns us that when this happens, "health care professionals can be strongly
tempted.. "to become manipulators of life, or even agents of death. ln the face of this temptation their
responsibility today is greatly increased.lfs deepesf inspiration and strongest support lie in the
intrinsic and undeniable ethical dimension of the medical professlon" (Evangelium Vitae, 89).

lndeed, the Hippocratic Oath is no longer abided to and even modified to "suit the
times". Moral norms for governing medicine have become ambiguous as abortion is legalized,
research is done on embryonic stem cells and euthanasia sanctioned in some countries. With
pressure to conform to the demands of society, Catholic doctors need to be steadfast like St Paul in
relying on the grace of God as he says, "The first time I had to present my defense, there was not a
single wifness to support me. Every one of them deserted me - may they not be held accountable
for it- But the Lard sfood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole rnessage might
be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was rescued from the lion's mouth." Catholic
Physicians must continue to defend life and ethical principles.

Thirdly, there is de-humanization of the role of doctors. Medicine is seen as a business

enterprise rather than a relationship of care, since it has to do with payment and compensation.
Physicians are seen as "suppliers and contractors" and patients as "clients". ln addition, healing has
taken on a new cloak of fiercely publicized "immortality" with an unhealthy emphasis on aesthetic
medicine. Medicine is no longer primarily practiced to promote life but to pander to vanity. ln order to
stay relevant or attractive, doctors are pressurized to be competitive and to go along with the change
and demands of society.

With the above challenges in the changing face of medicine, how then can Catholic doctors
be faithfulto the Hippocratic Oath, and most of allto God who has chosen and entrusted
them with this Ministry of Healing - to mediate His love, compassion and most of allto
uphold and protect the sanctity of life? Jesus told His townsfolk at Nazareth, "You will surely say
unto me this proverb, 'Physician, heal thyself ' whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do
also here in thy country." So before we can heal others, we need to heal ourselves as medical
professionals. What does this entail?

Firstly, we need to grow in the humility of the tax collector. We need to be on guard when we
become proud of ourselves and our achievements like the Pharisees. lnstead of becoming arrogant
with our knowledge and skills, we need to recognize that we are merely stewards. When we know
our place in creation, we become aware of our nothingness, and are grateful to God for the gifts that
He has blessed us with. Let us not forget that the motto of medicine is "Not pride of knowledge but
humility of wisdom!"

Secondly, Catholic doctors must strengthen their faith, both in their personal relationship with
God and educate themselves with regard to the doctrines and moral teachings of the Church. A
regular prayer-life is most important as you are faced with many demands and decisions concerning
life and treatment options, which require both strength and discernment, which can be imparted to
you by the Holy Spirit in prayer.

Catholic doctors must be formed in their conscience according to the mind of the
Church, especially on medical issues based on natural law. Catholic physicians guided by reason
and enlightened by divine revelation must safeguard the moral values that respect tne Oignity of the
human person and the sanctity of human life. They must therefore update themselves on the latest
teachings on bioethics and read the papal encyclicals like r.',,.,',r:,.,, :;; :.;.1.;,:1; ,::;'i, i ir.,,:'r,,.: ,r.i

practice fortitude in the face of ethical challenges. ln this way, they can be mindful not to partake in
research or practices that are deemed morally wrong by the Church.

Thirdly, it is a timely reminder therefore, that a good doctor is more than someone with professional
knowledge, skills and armed with the latest evidence-based medicine. Science cannot replace the
human person. A good doctor is truly good when besides his skills, he has a heart of
compassion and empathy for his patients and is able to allay the fears and their
anxieties. Perhaps, this is one of the greatest challenges facing the Catholic physician today with
the fragmentation of health care and erosion of the doctor-patient relationship. fne human person is
lade up not only of body but also of mind and spirit. Doctors are called to care holistically, not just
for the body but for the whole person. Hence, Catholic doctors must look to Jesus in miniltering to
the sick, praying for the gift of love and compassion, which is the essence of the Heart of the Good
Shepherd. For the first reading reminds us that God is compassionate, especially to the poor and
broken-hearted. "The just call and the Lord hears and rescues them in all their distress. ihe poor
man called; the Lord has heard him. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; those whose spirit is
crushed he will save. The Lord ransoms the souls of his servants. Those who hide in him shall not
be condemned."

Doctors must provide holistic healing to their patients. Hence, doctors need professional
development not only in knowledge and skills but also in peopte skills e.g. listening
empathetically, breaking bad news to patients and their loved ones and being iensitive to their
anxieties and fear. You only have to look to Jesus as a role model, for He was the True Doctor. He
attended not only to the physically sick, but also to the emotionally wounded and the psychologically
afflicted. Jesus extended healing to the spiritual dimension of the person healing not just the mind
-
but also the spirit. Healing is therefore an integral restoration of mind, body and sout. Tnrough the
Holy Spirit, God bestows the gift of healing to physicians, priests and those involved in the health
and healing ministry. We are called to share in the work of the Good Shepherd. Only by recognizing
that health care is more than a business enterprise, can we avoid falling into a state of itrophy with -
respect to the practice of medicine. At the end of the day, Catholic doctors must emulate the Divine
Physician in ministering. Care, compassion, charity and excellence are central to our vocation of
healing those who are in crisis and are ill.

Fourthly, Catholic physicians must recover their profession as a vocation. Being a doctor is
more than just a job but truly a special vocation in response to God's call, since it is a direct sharing
in the healing ministry of our Lord. Vocation pre-supposes service with meaning and purpose, and
not a job to make money or to achieve fame but a conviction of giving life to all. When the essence
of this is internalized, this would be an antidote for pride and greed and would confer both
professional and spiritual satisfaction. Othenvise, the stress and demands may cause one to be
easily disheartened and to give up. ln addition, when seen as a vocation, physicians would want to
mentor and teach the next generation of doctors so that correct values wili ne inculcated. ln
particular, values of compassion, honesg and integrity.
As the challenges facing ali of you are not easy, Catholic doctors must come together to support
each other in faith, prayer, life, education, mentoring and mission. This is where the Catholi*
Medical Guild can help and equip Catholic doctors to llve their vocation to the fullest, by providing
opportunities for education, discussion, mentoring and prayer. As St Paul says in"!,ir
wha are strong ought ta bear the infirmities of the weak and nat ta please r:ursefyes." Particular
attention should be targeted in forming the consciences of the younger doctors {medieai students
and residents-in-training) in the teachings of the Church, to help them discern difficult decisioris and
to impress upon them the vocation that they are entrusted with. Do not feel daunted by the ethical
challenges and dilemmas in medicine. Let us not be afraid for the Lord will vindicaie us as l-{e
vindicated St Paul. Like St Paul we pray, "The Lord willrescue me fram all evit attempts on m*, afid
bring me safely ta his heavenly kingdom. Ta him be glory far ever and ever" Amen."

Finally, to fulfil your vocation as Catholic doctors, we are invited to join Jesus and offer our
lives as a libation for others. St Paul wrote, "My life is already being paured away as a libation,
and the time has come for me to be gone." lndeed, may our lives be lived not just for this life br"rt far
Eternal Life afier our work is done. You must be connected to Jesus and foliow your formed
conscience without fear. Live your Christian vo,cation with integrity as physicians; aiways acting in
the best interest of your patients, mediating compassion and love, after the heart of the Good
Shepherd. Then like St Paul you can say, "/ have faught the Eood fight to fhe end, I have run the
race ta the finish; I have kept the faith; alt there is to come now is the crawn of ngftfeousness
reserued for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me an that Day; and not anly fo me
but to all those who have longed far his Appearing"" God bless and guide you.

Written by The /t4osf Rey William Goh

Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore
@ All Rights Reserved
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