Catholic Family Campaign

Kansas City, Kansas Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and Kansas City – St. Joseph Bishop Robert W. Finn have released a joint pastoral statement on Principles of Catholic Social Teaching and Health Care Reform.  The statement reflects the fundamental principles of Catholic social and moral teaching that must accompany any evaluation of the varied health reform proposals.

1. The Principle of Subsidiarity requires the we respect the inherent dignity and freedom of the individual by never doing for others what they can do for themselves, and thus enabling individuals to have the most possible discretion in the affairs of their lives.
2. The Principle of Sanctity of human life ensures respect for the sacredness of every human life and the dignity of the human person — no matter stage of development, age, or physical or mental condition.
   • The “Right to Health Care” as taught by the Church is a companion to the fundamental right to life.  Therefore, every individual is entitled to have access to health care as well as the other necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter for sustaining and caring for human life.
   • The responsibility of each individual to take proper care of his or her health and a duty to acquire health care for oneself and one’s family.
3. The Principle of Promotion of the common good reminds us that we have an obligation to be concerned not just about our own welfare and the welfare of our family, but the welfare of each and every member of society.
4. The Principle of Solidarity reflects the special claim the poor and vulnerable have on our concern.  As such, we should desire for them the same access to quality health care as we want for ourselves and our own families.

The pastoral statement does a good job of making the case for why reforms are needed from a moral perspective in order to ensure that all individuals have access to adequate heath care but also defines the principles that should be a guiding force to evaluate and craft an effective health care reform measure. 

Tags: Human Dignity, Religious Freedoms // Add Comment »