The Catholic Health Care Ministry
by Kathryn Grafsgaard
Associate Director/Health Care Advocate
January 2006
The history of Catholic health
care in North Dakota is rich and filled inspiring stories
about those who came before us to serve the health care
needs of the state's native people and early settlers. The
excellent tradition of caring and compassionate service
continues in the state's 30 health care facilities; 12
hospitals, 18 long term and specialty care facilities that
are supported by 8 religious congregations and
organizations.
Large and small, the facilities continue their dedication
to Jesus' mission of love and healing while dealing with
the complex social, cultural, moral and financial issues of
the 21st century. Their mission, according to Catholic
social teaching and values, calls those in Catholic health
care to serve as advocates for all, particularly the poor
and other vulnerable populations.
The social responsibility of the Catholic health care
ministry is founded in several principles, beginning with
the commitment to promote and defend human life and
dignity. An individual's basic right to life entails a
right to the proper development of life through adequate
health care.
The social responsibility continues with the biblical
mandate to care for the poor, expressed as continual
efforts to serve those in need including the uninsured and
the underinsured. Catholic health care ministry also seeks
to contribute to the common good while protecting
fundamental rights. The facilities in North Dakota work
toward a just and equitable health care system in which the
basic care needs of individuals and the community as a
whole are considered. Finally, the work reflects the
teaching authority of the Church by providing and
permitting only medical procedures that are morally
acceptable. A comprehensive document, the "Ethical and
Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services",
guides all work.
Ensuring adequate financial resources, meeting the mission,
and maintaining Catholic identity are foremost on the minds
of the committed men and women religious, lay executives
and health care staff in North Dakota. A multitude of
challenges present themselves continually since health care
is undergoing extraordinary change in clinical practice due
to technological advances. As the health care system itself
is challenged by institutional and social factors, the
Catholic facilities strive to meet the complex and ongoing
needs of communities across the state.
Meeting the needs of an increasing elderly population
served in the primarily rural areas of North Dakota is a
big challenge for the facilities, calling them to be firm
in their commitment to providing access. Concerns about
providing local care, so that families and friends can be
close at hand, prompt religious and lay health care leaders
to find innovative and creative ways to serve. Adequate
funding and financial pressures loom continually around the
efforts to continue their quality care.
The story of Catholic health care ministry in North Dakota
is fascinating. All Catholics should engage in this
ministry through their support and understanding, and by
recognizing that our Savior's healing mission touches
people at the deepest levels of their existence through
physical, mental and spiritual healing. We remain grateful
for the work of those who established the Catholic health
care presence in North Dakota, and for how the sponsors,
facilities and staff continue to touch and
serve.
