Rector’s College of the Catholic University of Lublin: helping the sick with the basic dimension of humanity

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Selfless help for the sick, including those chronically and in terminal states, who often experience their physical and mental suffering in solitude, is a fundamental dimension of humanity and testifies to the maturity of societies – emphasizes the Rector’s College of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin in the message on the occasion of the 11th February, World Day of the Sick.

The Rector’s College of KUL points out that the situation of the Covid-19 pandemic has shown an even greater need to undertake voluntary work for the sick, quarantined and seniors. “It is encouraging that many of us, including young people, joined this help. This allows us to hope that these attitudes will also remain after the pandemic has ended” we read.

The university authorities also recall the words of Pope Francis on the World Day of the Sick, which indicated that disease always has the face of a specific person, including those who feel disregarded, excluded, victims of social injustice who are denied fundamental rights.

“The Holy Father noted that “the current pandemic has exacerbated inequalities in our healthcare systems and exposed inefficiencies in the care of the sick. Elderly, weak and vulnerable people are not always granted access to care, or in an equitable manner”.

Pope Francis added that “investing resources in the care and assistance of the sick is a priority linked to the fundamental principle that health is a primary common good”. He also noted that Yet the pandemic has also highlighted the dedication and generosity of healthcare personnel, volunteers, support staff, priests, men and women religious” – emphasizes the rector and vice-rectors of the Catholic University of Lublin.

The Rector’s College of the Catholic University of Lublin also stresses that among many civilization diseases that dominate in the modern world, more and more attention and special treatment programs require diseases related to depression, chronic stress conditions associated with increasing professional demands, addictions, including behavioral ones.

Such patients are often judged according to stereotypes and left to themselves without professional help, which leads to their deterioration and often to dramatic situations. St. John Paul II, in one of his speeches to sick people, indicated that "in various places man suffers, sometimes he suffers a lot. And he calls the other man. I need his presence – we read in the message.

The university authorities also remind about hospice care and the need to support it. “Inpatient, home and children’s hospices work with thousands of volunteers who bring relief and Christian hope in the last phase of life. Patients who are under their care have a chance to go away with dignity and relieve pain using pharmacological methods. By establishing the World Day of the Sick on May 13, 1992, St. John Paul II wanted to draw the attention of Catholic institutions working for the health care and secular community to the need to provide the best possible care for the sick; helping patients to see the value of suffering on the human level, and above all on the supernatural level” – emphasizes the Rector’s College of the Catholic University of Lublin.