Adelaide, Australia, Dec 11, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Mental health will be the focus of the 14th World Day of the Sick, to be held in Adelaide, Feb. 9-11.
Bishops from across Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific and hundreds of participants are expected to attend.
In his message for the occasion, released last week, Pope Benedict shared the Church’s concern for those suffering from mental illness. He noted that one-fifth of the world population suffers some form of mental illness and described this prevalence “a real and authentic social-health care emergency.”
Archbishop Philip Wilson of Adelaide described the three-day gathering as an opportunity “to engage and experience the needs of those who are most vulnerable in our society and … for those who work in the heath care sector to reflect on their work and how it can be seen as a continuation of the healing mission of Jesus.”