To Be Presented to Pope During International Doctors Congress

ROME, JULY 3 (ZENIT.org).- The new "Charter of Human Rights for
Medicine," prepared by a group of scientists, theologians, and
moralists, will be presented to the Pope by Catholic doctors who,
beginning today and until July 7, are participating in an
International Congress in Rome on "Medicine and Human Rights."

"In response to the Pontiff's appeals, as Catholic doctors we
want to testify that medicine and its successes are always
directed to the service of the human person: because of this, we
declare ourselves to be opposed to all forms of restriction on
individual liberties, all forms of torture, and the death
penalty," Domenico De Virgilio said, who is president of the
Italian Association of Catholic Doctors.

"We must still ask ourselves if the overwhelming and explosive
successes of technology and science in the bio-medical area have
always been directed in favor of development and respect for the
dignity of the person," De Virgilio said.

Quoting the Holy Father's "Redemptor Hominis," De Virgilio
expressed the need to have "explosive technological development
correspond with proportional development of moral and ethical
life."

De Virgilio explained that the 5,200 participants in the
Congress, who represent 44 countries, will address the topic of
human rights "without fears and clearly." Many countries "have
denied the right to life with permissive measures in the areas of
abortion, genetic manipulation, euthanasia, and restriction of
individual liberty."

At the end of the Congress on July 7, the doctors will celebrate
their special Jubilee with the Holy Father in St. Peter's.
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