By Purushottam Nayak

Bhubaneswar: Healthcare organizations belonging to various Churches in India will search for new ways of collaboration to reach their healing ministry to the people of the country.

The Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI), National Council of Churches of India and the Catholic Healthcare Networks in India have selected “Partnering in the Healing Ministry of the Church” as theme for this year’s Healing Week to be observed during February 12-19.

The organizations have collaborated in celebrating the week for the past several years.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has urged its people to observe the 25th World Day of the Sick is on February 11 by follow the Blessed Virgin as their model in their efforts to serve the poor and the marginalized.

“Holy Father Pope Francis in his message exhorts us to follow the footsteps of Mary our mother and renew the spiritual energy for carrying out ever more fully that fundamental part of Church’s mission which includes serving the poor, the infirm, the suffering, the outcast and the marginalized,” says a February 6 press note from the CBCI Office of Healthcare.

“We continue the tradition of celebrating the Healing Ministry week ecumenically,” says Archbishop Prakash Mallavarapu of Visakhapatnam, who heads the office as its chairman. He urges people to take time during the week to pray for the sick and those trying to alleviate the sufferings.

“On this World Day of the Sick, may we find new incentive to work for the growth of a culture of respect for life, health and the environment,” the official statement exhorts.

The CBCI Office has issued guidelines of to celebrate the week. It wants healthcare institutions to arrange prayers where everyone in the hospital can attend. However, it wants them to do it with “due discretion and full respect” for patients from other religions and those with no religious persuasion.

The bishops’ office also wants the institutions to organize awareness programs for their staff members.

The bishop’s body also wants parishes in the country organize programs such as para-liturgical celebrations and community celebration to bless and anoint the sick. Other suggested items are ecumenical bible service, inter-religious prayer service for the sick, health awareness seminars, medical camps, cultural and and charitable events.

Meanwhile, the CMAI says the theme of this year’s healing week is “very central to our life, as it focuses on the church and our partnership in the healing ministry.”

A message from the association says it expects the week to create “some interest in our local congregations to set apart their time and join hands to make healing known to people of our country.”

It wants people to acknowledge God as the source of every healing and thank Him for the healing mercies. “It is important to realize where we are and where we need to go as His representatives,” the message says.

The CMAI members will observe February 12 as the Healing Ministry Sunday. If some groups miss the observance, they could do it the following Sunday.

The association has distributed among its members an envelope containing a booklet explaining the bible study for six days of the week and an Order of Service for the Healing Ministry Sunday. It wants them to display an enclosed poster to educate the public on the healing week.