From the time that Hippocrates charged all physicians to work “for the good of patients according to [one’s] ability and judgment, and never [to] do harm to anyone”, the medical doctor finds himself participating in the task of healing.

We as Catholic physicians know, however, that we often find ourselves in a position where our job requires us to confront issues that extend beyond the strictly biologic well-being of our patients. Caring for the ailing or dying patient, addressing the definition of life or personhood—these scenarios require us to deal with concepts that surpass the boundaries of science.

Furthermore, the evolving landscape of social policy and health care reform presents new challenges, including a potential threat to the physician’s right to practice according to his or her conscience.

We intend this content to serve as an educational resource to all Catholic physicians and medical practitioners— to help us counsel our patients, and articulate our stance on key issues in the public sphere. You will find links to documents as well as pertinent websites. We intend these tools to guide you, the physician, in fulfilling your oath of serving the good of the patient, in matters of the human body and soul.

In addition to resources on this page, the Frequently Asked Questions and Resources sections have information on specific Biomedical Ethics topics.

Please contact us if you have further questions.

Additional Resources:

• Catholic Medical Association
• Curatio –Apostolate of Catholic Health Care Professionals
• Dolentium Hominum – Establishing the Pontifical Commission for the Apostolate of Health Care Workers, John Paul II
• Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services (5th ed.) – USCCB
• Healing in the Gospels
• National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC)
• Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers (for Health Pastoral Care)
• Pontifical Academy for Life
• Salvifici Doloris – Apostolic Letter on the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering, John Paul II