EUROPE/ITALY - The Eucharist as a service to the sick: Italian Association for Health Care Pastoral national conference. “Promote health care pastoral which starts from man and reaches the celebration of the Eucharist through the man it represents.”

Rome ( Fides Service) - ‘Eucharist bread broken and washing of feet’ is the slogan of a national conference of the Italian Association for Health Care Pastoral opened today 10 October in Perugia and which will close on 14 October.
Participants, 350 priests, deacons, religious and lay people, will reflect on the situation of the sick person and the significance of the Eucharist for physical and spiritual health.
The theme was chosen in the context of the Year of the Eucharist called by Pope John Paul II October 2004-2005.
Reflection will focus on people in hospital as well as situations of physical and psychic suffering in many different contexts of present day reality.
The aim is to promote health care pastoral which starts from man and listens to his cry for help, for humble service inspired by the image of the washing of the feet, to the celebration of the Eucharist through man which its represents.
In about 15 work groups participants will reflect on different areas of pastoral care (Ethical, psychiatric, Alzheimer, Aids, Medicine Alternative and others), which represent the entire present day health reality
AIPAS, started in 1986, is an association of Catholic priests, deacons, religious and lay people involved in health pastoral care to promote health care pastoral and human and Christian formation of healthcare workers, defend the dignity of the sick person, guarantee religious assistance and professional training of pastoral workers. (AP) (10/10/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:29 Parole:279)