Healthcare Ministry Basics

for LeadersEthical and Religious Directives

Course Plan

Our Our MinistryMinistry

ChurchChurch

Catholic Catholic Social Social

TeachingTeaching

Jesus’Jesus’MinistryMinistry

SponsorshipSponsorship

Moral Instincts Moral Instincts ERDsERDs

ApplicationApplicationto My Roleto My Role

Purpose of Directives(in Preamble)

• To affirm ethical standards and norms

• To provide authoritative guidance

• To serve institutionally-based Catholic healthcare

• To provide professionals, patients and families with principles and guides for making decisions in any setting

Intended Audience(in Preamble)

• Sponsors & trustees

• Administrators

• Spiritual caregivers & chaplains

• Physicians & healthcare professionals

• Patients, families & surrogates

General Format• Divided into six parts covering six major

areas of concern in Catholic health care

• Each part divided into two sections:– An Introduction in the form of a narrative,

providing a biblical and theological context– Followed by individually numbered

Directives addressing specific issues

The Parts

• General Introduction,

which explains the basic reason for Catholic healthcare (addressed by

this course)

• Part One: The Social Responsibility of Catholic Health Care Services

• Part Two: The Pastoral Responsibility of Catholic Health Care

• Part Three: The Professional-Patient Relationship

• Part Four: Issues in Care

for the Beginning of Life

• Part Five: Issue in

• Care for the Dying

• Part Six: Forming New Partnerships with Health

Care Organizations and Providers

Limitations & Cautions

• The Directives do not provide ready answers for every moral dilemma

• They are not an exhaustive summary of the Church’s moral teaching

• Their application to a particular case may require consultation with individuals who have theological competency

Limitations & Cautions• Some may be tempted to interpret the

Directives more narrowly or loosely than warranted by the Church’s moral teaching

• Different valid conclusions about what to do in a given case can sometimes occur

• Directives may be revised as Church teaching on unclear or uncertain moral matters is clarified at an authoritative level

Exercise1) Break up into six groups, one for each

of the six parts of the ERDs

2) Read silently the Introduction to your part of the ERDs

3) As a group identify several key ideas or points in the Introduction

4) Prepare to present your findings to the whole group

Link with Mission/Values?• Mission:

Catholic Health East is a community of persons committed to being a , transforming, healing presence in the communities we serve.

• Values:Reverence for Persons Community

Integrity Justice CourageConcern for those who are poor

Stewardship

Reflection and Dialogue

• How was this discussion on the Ethical and Religious Directives helpful?

• What part of the ERDs do you find to be the most challenging/difficult?

• To whom would you go in your organization for more clarity?