By JOSEPH R. SWEDISH
2012-2013 chairperson
CHA Board of Trustees
President and chief executive officer
Trinity Health, Novi, Mich.
It is truly an honor to serve as chair of CHA, alongside all of its dedicated members. Together, we share a passion for continuing our mission of love and healing. We understand and accept our calling to care in our belief that every life is a sacred gift.
As I prepare for my new role with CHA, I am reminded that with the Catholic Church as our foundation, our ministry is rich in history of service for the poor and the vulnerable, particularly those on the margins of society such as immigrants. Even with the strides we have made in expanding health care access, immigrants still lie outside that safety net. Catholic health care has and will continue to fill the void, regardless of how reform takes shape and its policy attributes.
In reflecting on the immigrant experience within the church and the challenges it presents today, I am reminded of a speech from the 1995 Catholic Health Assembly by Fr. Bryan Hehir, professor of religion and public life at Harvard University. He cited three models in describing the evolution of Catholic health care in the United States:
- The immigrant model, which grew from families immigrating to the country in search of a better life.
- The Vatican II model, based on essential tasks rooted in the Gospel — teaching, healing and social service — and thinking of those tasks in terms of a church at the service of society as a whole.
- The catalyst of social forces model, which is rooted in the imperatives and challenges posed by changes in our society — like technology, political polarization and socioeconomic disparities.
Nearly two decades later, Fr. Hehir's third model has proven to be a prophetic way to view our current environment. Today, we face significant social problems and declining resources that call on our ministries to serve in radically new ways.
Managing multiple transitions and unpredictability will be a true test for us as leaders in Catholic health care. It will require courage that has been modeled for us time and time again by the many sisters who created our strong foundation for service and compassion. The common thread throughout the history of these congregations is the sisters' flexibility not only to adapt, but more importantly to respond to the times, to hold on to what is important, to let go as needed, and to live the vibrant spirit of the ministry's founders.
As William Shakespeare wrote, "What's past is prologue." By that he meant our past sets the context for today. Our founding congregations were called to chaos and now we, too, are being called to serve in chaotic times. We are being called to improve health care and make the best care available to all, especially those who need it most — the poor and the vulnerable.
The times and challenges we face require dedication to formation rooted in the Gospel, which gives us the courage and resilience needed to remain faithful in hectic times. The environment today requires us to think creatively and, in some cases, to structure our ministries differently to create sustainability. However, we must always protect our principles and conscience.
It is our respect for human life that inspires us to protect the poor, the vulnerable and the sick every day. It is what motivates us through our advocacy to take positions on social issues and act upon matters of health, immigration, violence, poverty, hunger and other human needs. We, in Catholic health care, are called to be catalysts for social forces as Fr. Hehir suggested.
Because past is prologue, we can rest assured that Catholic health care is resilient and made up of brave people willing to stand up for what is right. We will be jeered by some and cheered by others for our stands on policy. However, our path is clear if we remain true to our Catholic heritage, legacy and principles.
Over the coming year, we will face issues and events that will likely test our principles such as the election of a U.S. president, a Supreme Court ruling that will determine the viability of health reform and whether 32 million people will be added to the ranks of the insured, the 50th anniversary of Vatican II and its call to service by the laity, and the debate on religious freedom and conscience protection, and more.
The challenges and changes we face create new opportunities to enhance relationships with the bishops to reinforce our unwavering commitment to service. Together, we are stronger and can better advance our call to service, the bedrock of our Catholic identity.
CHA calls us to embrace our Catholic legacy, engage in ongoing formation, strengthen our identity, courageously answer the call to action and lead the ministry to a future that I see filled with outrageous hope.
As scripture teaches us, "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." — Jeremiah 29:11