Domestic and international disaster response: considerations for Catholic health care ministry.

Philippines and the tornadoes that ravaged the Midwest at the close of 2013, we should all be examining our international and domestic response plans/ activities. That examination should include reflection on the tenets of Catholic social teaching which actually provide the underpinning for effective disaster response. As identified by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, there are seven themes: Life and Dignity of the Human Person Call to Family, Community and Participation Rights and Responsibilities Option for the Poor and Vulnerable The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers Solidarity Care for God’s Creation These tenets serve as the basis for Catholic Charities USA’s disaster response activities at the national and local levels, and they also provide a good framework for discernment on how Catholic health ministry can and should respond to international and domestic disasters. During a 2013 CHA webinar in September — national Disaster Preparedness Month — Kim Burgo, senior director of Catholic Charities USA’s national disaster operations office, discussed how the themes of Catholic social teaching frame her organization’s response activities. She also offered some important additional considerations and specifics for health care. Please take the following edited excerpts from Burgo’s presentation into consideration the next time your organization plans contributions to a disaster response. We are a ministry committed not only to providing hope and healing, but also to accountability.