Vatican City, Feb 4, 2011 / 10:37 am
The Vatican department in charge supporting Catholic health care workers has announced that it will soon release updated guidelines on bioethics issues.
The guidelines offered in the "Charter for Health Care Workers" provide a point of reference on Church teaching for medical professionals. It is being updated to provide current teaching on complex topics in the health care field like stem-cell research, reproductive issues, euthanasia and abortion.
Representatives from the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Workers spoke to journalists about the theme on Feb. 3 after presenting the Pope's message for the 19th World Day for the Sick.
Bishop Jose L. Redrado, secretary of the council, said Catholic facilities are battling a "culture of death."