![]() Faith and loyalty continue as guiding principles as it thrives in its sixtieth year of providing relief of suffering to those in need in one of the most remote and underserved regions of Italy. This 1,000-bed regional medical center, owned by the Holy See, was built upon childlike faith and steadfast loyalty to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. (Padre) Pio has provided a glowing example of the true meaning of the continuation of Christ's healing ministry with the development of his Home for the Relief of Suffering in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. However, in nearly scandalous fashion, this influential Catholic healthcare network operates with great fragmentation and often in opposition to the leadership of the bishops. Systems that identify themselves as Catholic constitute the largest nonprofit healthcare network in the country ( CHAUS 2016), and united together and with the bishops they could define the platform, principles, and values upon which health care is delivered throughout this country. This is the current state of Catholic health care in the United States. Then we begin to hear sad debates among both religious leaders and the faithful regarding whether a truly faithful Catholic healthcare system can survive in this secular society, and if this society will ever produce the vocations of centuries past. Even the beautiful presence of holy religious men and women, so familiar in the Catholic hospitals of the past, have all but disappeared due to record reductions in religious vocations. Confused by all of this, system leaderships become perplexed as their resources and prosperity dwindle. The natural result is large multi-billion dollar systems operating in fear of losing what they have accumulated … not proceeding in childlike faith, inspiration of the Holy Spirit, or on the foundational values established by the centuries-old Magisterial teachings of the Church. This tendency is exacerbated when complicated by uncertain futures due to shrinking reimbursement and revenues, rapidly growing governmental regulation and oversight, and confusing social tensions. ![]() Unfortunately, when ministry seeds grow into large systems with multiple facilities, thousands of employees, and large operating budgets and responsibilities, the leadership focus tends to evolve from willingness to take risks based on inspiration to fiscal stewardship. Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD and turn away from evil … Then will your barns be filled with plenty, with new wine your vats will overflow. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths. This is a testimony to the faithfulness of God's promises over and over again throughout history, that if we follow His way, He will prosper our work: Many of these “mustard seeds” of faith have blossomed into multi-billion dollar regional and national healthcare systems. And as He has constantly promised, God responded faithfully to bless this unwavering faith by showering abundant graces upon these new ministries and apostolates along with great success and prosperity. That is without question the definition of childlike faith. Ironically, childlike faith was the catalyst for most religiously based hospital systems as they sprang into being, and their stories are all too similar: A handful of consecrated religious men or women answered the call with childlike faith to venture to the New World, with few or no resources, to care for those in need. Yet to incorporate that principle into life and business practice is not as easy as it may seem. Christians are all too familiar with Christ's call to childlike faith, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3). Many, if not most, Catholic healthcare systems have entertained structures and partnerships that directly or indirectly compromise the teachings and directives of the Magisterial authority of the Catholic Church in order to enhance security, financial benefit, or stability. There is little debate that the delivery of Catholic health care in the United States has undergone an extended period of painful transition for at least three decades, as health system leadership struggles with the conflicting tensions of moral values that differ between Church and society. ![]() Love is the first ingredient to the relief of suffering.-Padre Pio
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