ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Papal Envoy Cardinal Lozano Barragán presides special Mass for World Day for the Sick: There is a logic which, refusing to consider a human life as a value in itself because it fails to correspond to a vision in which material wellbeing, efficiency and productivity become the founding ‘values’ of human existence, opens the way for laws which promote a culture of death.

Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - “The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea proposed the pastoral care of patients suffering from incurable illnesses as the theme of the Day. The Holy Father Benedict XVI benevolently accepted the theme, and our goal in these three days of the World Day, has been to reflect upon their situation and pray for these sick people. Today in this solemn liturgical celebration we offer to God our Father, all the sufferings and pain of our brothers and sisters. We all together in this Eucharistic concelebration, unite their suffering to the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus”
With these words Cardinal Lozano Barragán, president of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral, addressed thousands of people gathered for Mass in Seoul on February 11, World Day of the Sick, special envoy of Pope Benedict XVI.
“In his message for this World Day of the sick, the Holy Father tells us that the Church turns her eyes to all who suffer and calls attention to the incurably ill, many of whom are dying from the terminal diseases, especially those who suffer even more because of poverty” the Cardinal said.
“The Pope urges improved care for the dying and for those who because of poverty cannot afford better medical care. He stresses the need for palliative care, so that they may bear these incurable illnesses and death in a dignified way. The Holy Father praises and encourages all those who in the Church, following the example of the Good Samaritan assist these sick people. He says that the Church through its priests and all her pastoral workers stands alongside the incurably ill, showing the loving mercy of Christ to those who suffer.”
At the beginning of his Message he states that: “Human life, however, has intrinsic limitations, and sooner or later it ends in death. This is an experience to which each human being is called, and one for which he or she must be prepared…for us Christians death is the maturity of the earthly stage of life and the gateway to a life full of love.”.
The Cardinal concluded “Our world is deeply wounded, physically, but above all spiritually. Mental illnesses, especially depression which is spread widely in the world today, have their origins in the lack of hope. May our Blessed Mother, Mary, watch over all the incurably ill, and in a special way intercede for all those who are mentally ill, who need the light and tenderness that only the Lord can offer.” (AP) (13/2/2007 Agenzia Fides; Righe:42; Parole: 483)