On Tuesday, 1st February 2011, Archbishop Paul Cremona O.P. held a meeting with around 90 specialists, doctors and nurses who work at the Intensive Care Unit at Mater Dei Hospital. During this meeting they discussed several topics related to treatment being received by patients who are seriously ill and facing near death. This encounter was another in the series of meetings which Archbishop Cremona is holding with different categories of the laity.
This meeting was organized by the Secretariat for the Laity of the Archdiocese of Malta, in collaboration with Dr Joe Zarb Adami, who is in charge of the ITU at the Hospital. Among others, the meeting was attended by the Minister of Health, Dr Joe Cassar and other officials, namely Dr John Cachia, Director General of Hospitals, Ms Marion Rizzo, the Chief Executive Officer at Mater Dei Hospital and Rev. Bernard Mangion OFM Cap, the Hospital Chaplain.
Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Agius, the Dean of the Faculty of Theology, University of Malta, also participated in the discussion, during which there arose several issues of an ethical, moral and spiritual nature which are related not only to terminally ill patients but also to patients who require organ transplants and their relatives.
The Archbishop stressed that in the case of any form of illness, but especially when the patient is in a critical condition, one should always bear in mind the dignity of every person, whoever he/she is and whatever his/her age. He reminded those present that even Jesus Christ expressed his desire to be relieved of his own suffering and death, but ultimately, he placed his desires in the hands of the Eternal Father.
After the meeting, the Archbishop shared some time in conversation with those who were present.
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