International Palliative Care Symposium Concludes

The International Palliative Care Symposium held in Toronto from May 21-23 has now concluded. 

The Symposium titled, “Towards a Narrative of Hope,” offered by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) in conjunction with the Pontifical Academy for Life (PAV) in collaboration with other key partners, focused on hope as a central theme, even in life’s most challenging moments.

Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, noted, “even when healing is no longer possible, it is always possible to care for others. Palliative care is a deeply human vision of medicine. In the final stages of earthly existence, we must counter indifference and the culture of waste. Palliative care is a special form of charity and should be encouraged.”

Pictured on the right, Archbishop Francis Leo joins Toronto delegates and Msgr. Renzo Pegoraro, Chancellor, Pontifical Academy for Life at the International Symposium on Palliative Care.

A working group is now tasked with collating the participants’ key recommendations, focusing on five areas: advocacy for palliative care, community engagement and support, education, integrating the cultural dimension into palliative care, and palliative care policy and legislation. CCCB President Bishop William T. McGrattan affirmed this follow-up work, saying that, “each of us, as a member of society, has a duty to assist and love the sick and dying and to support their loved ones with compassion so that no one is isolated, alone, or forgotten in their time of need. This Symposium signifies a strong commitment to life and holistic care, which will bear much fruit.”

For more information on the symposium, visit the CCCB website.