Farewell Speech at the Closing Ceremony of the AFCMA Congress 2024

Dear Esteemed Colleagues, Distinguished Guests, and Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we conclude the 18th Congress of the Asian Federation of Catholic Medical Associations or AFCMA, I am filled with gratitude for the shared moments of insight, inspiration, and connection we have experienced here at The Catholic University of Korea. I thank each of you for your invaluable contributions and would like to extend my deepest appreciation to our hosts from Korea, whose dedication and commitment have greatly contributed to the success of this congress. 

Before officially closing this congress, I am delighted to share wonderful news of our incoming AFCMA President. I am pleased to announce that Prof. Seung-Kew Yoon, Chair of the AFCMA 2024 Congress here in Korea, will serve as President for the next 4 years. His leadership and compassion have driven this congress to tremendous success, which was highly commended at our General Council meeting two days ago, where his election to the presidency was met with unanimous support. Congratulations, Prof. Yoon!

I am also thrilled to share that the next AFCMA Congress in 2028 will be hosted in the Philippines. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Philippine Catholic Medical Association for their generous offer to take on this important role.

As we say goodbye and go our separate ways, let us carry forward not only the knowledge and insights we’ve gained but also the spirit of fellowship and collaboration that has thrived among us. May the bonds we have formed here continue to flourish and lead to meaningful collaborations in the future.

Finally, let us remember that although the congress ends, our mission does not. Inspired by the Divine Healer, may we go forth with renewed vigor, applying both our skills and our hearts to the work ahead. Let us trust that the seeds planted here will grow into healing and hope for communities around the world.

Until we meet again, may God bless each of you.

Thank you, very much indeed.

November 10, 2024

Shigeyuki Kano

President of the AFCMA

Christmas Message 2023 by the President of the AFCMA to its members

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As we celebrate the birth of our Lord, I extend heartfelt congratulations to each of you. In the midst of this Christmas season, I trust this message finds you safe and in good health, despite the ongoing challenges posed by the global pandemic.

While the pursuit of healthcare with the goal of leaving no one behind remains a shared global understanding, we acknowledge that achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a key aspiration in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), continues to be a formidable challenge. Particularly in the diverse region of Asia, realizing UHC within each country poses intricate difficulties. In a continent where the teachings of Christ may not have permeated as widely, our calling is to bring about transformative change through solidarity founded in faith. This endeavor is crucial, especially in societies where the marginalized and vulnerable bear the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. Let us join hands in prayer and commit ourselves to this noble mission.

In this Christmas season, our hearts are not untouched by the distressing events unfolding in the world. The conflict in Ukraine and the ongoing tensions in Gaza weigh heavily on our minds, stirring feelings of anxiety and a fervent desire for peace. As members of the AFCMA, let us stand united in our commitment to healing, compassion, and the pursuit of peace. In our prayers and actions, may we contribute to a world where justice and harmony prevail.

Wishing you all a joyous Christmas filled with the spirit of hope and renewal, and may God's abundant blessings continue to be upon you.

With warm regards,

Shigeyuki Kano, MD & PhD

President, AFCMA

Board Member of Japanese Catholic Medical Association (JCMA)

 OUR LADY OF LA, VANG, VIETNAM

 Introduction:

Not many people are aware of the Apparition of Our Lady of La Vang, unlike the Apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes, Fatima and Medugorje. I sincerely hope that after reading this short article, more pilgrims will be enlightened to come to Vietnam to pray to Our Lady of La Vang for their peace of mind and get their petitions to Our Lady heard and answered.

 

This year in August 2023, the Catholic Doctors Association of Malaysia decided to have its Annual Retreat at La Vang, Vietnam after hearing so much about the Apparition of Our Lady of La Vang from 2 Groups from our local Catholic Churches who had gone there recently. We realize unfortunately that Our Lady of La Vang is not yet officially recognized by the Vatican. La Vang is a poor farming village in Central Vietnam situated in Hao Lang, District of Quang Tri about 60 kilometres from Hue -the former Capital of Vietnam.

 

Every 3 years 200,00 pilgrims from all over the World will come to La Vang pay homage to the Virgin Mary who in 1798 appeared to the persecuted Vietnamese Catholics and comforted them and healed them of their illnesses.The Tri Annual Feast Day is for 3 Days from 15-17 August 2023. Our Group of 7 visited La Vang on 15 and 16 August 23 but due to the huge crowd our coach could not enter the Church Entrance. We walked into the Church via its long pathway with our local Vietnamese Guide. We were touched by the faith of so many people lying down on the grass beside the pathway and had built tents to sleep there whilst awaiting to attend the important 5pm Mass the next day 17 August 23. They were people from all over Vietnam and other countries with tremendous faith.

 

Church of Our Lady of La Vang: 

As we walk in we saw the Old and New Churches of La Vang facing us. The Old Church was destroyed by bombing and only the Bell Tower remains and still retains its stately appearance. In 1961 Pope John Paul II recognized the significance of the Marian Apparition and named it as the Basilica of Our Lady of La Vang. In 2012 a beautiful Church was built with blue traditional lipped roofs.Indeed the New Church looks so grand and beautiful. We understand that it can accommodate 5,000 people at any time and is the biggest Church in the whole of Vietnam!

 

The Shrine Of Our Lady of La Vang: 

On our left is the the purported location when in 1798 our Lady appeared to the persecuted Vietnamese Catholics. Here we can see a magnificient. The pilgrims will come here to pray to Our Lady of La Vang. Our Group spent some time here in silent prayer- praying for ourselves, our loved ones and our own special intentions asking Our Lady of La Vang to intercede for us.

According to history Emperor Canh Thinh feared the growth of Catholicism in Vietnam brought about by the French Priests. Initially he restricted Catholicism but in 1798 he ordered the persecution of Catholics. Fearing for their safety many Catholics fled into the jungle of La Vang in the Quang Tri Province. Here they stayed hidden, sufferring from privation, danger from snakes and other illnesses in order to be able to practice their Catholic faith! Every night they gathered under a tree to pray the Rosary.

One night as they were praying a woman dressed in the traditional Vietnamese costume or Ao Dai and holding a child appeared to them in a mysterious glow of light. They recognized her as Mother Mary holding Baby Jesus. She consoled them and taught them how to use the leaves of the tree she was standing on to make it into a strong tea as medicine to cure their illnesses. She said she was aware of their hardship and chronic illnesses due to contaminated water.

 

She also solemnly told them that "From this day on Prayers said on this spot will be heard and answered".

After the period of great persecution was over (1798-1801) the villagers returned to their homes and spreaded the miracle of the Apparition of Mother Mary. The first Chapel was built on the Apparition site in 1820. In 1959 La Vang was declared as Vietnam's national shrine marking 300 years of the Church's presence in Vietnam.

 

Holy Water, Stations of the Cross and souvenir shop.

Behind the shrine are taps which are reported to contain Holy Water for drinking with healing properties. We can fill our bottles up with the water and take them home. This reminded us of Lourdes and its Holy Water. The Stations of the Cross can be seen here together with the inscriptions of the 117 "Martyrs of ANNam" ( Vietnam.) Catholic Saints. Finally we went to the souvenir shop where we all bought statues of OurLady of La Vang, Rosaries, etc. to take home.

 

Conclusion:

Our Lady of La Vang appeared to the faithful Vietnamese Catholics in 1785 to help and comfort them during their period of persecution. We recommend that more overseas Catholics should come and see and listen for themselves and learn how Mother Mary appeared and helped the persecuted Vietnamese. They should come to pray to Our Lady of La Vang and get their prayers answered for themselves and their loved ones. We ourselves from Malaysia felt peaceful and spiritually blessed to have been able to come here in Vietnam to pray to Our Lady of La Vang.

 

Prepared by Dr. Freddie Loh,

Catholic Doctors Association of Malaysia.

 

Greetings from Malaysia!

Dear Dr. Shigeyuki Kano,

President of AFCMA.

The Catholic Doctors Association of Malaysia (CDAM) held their Annual White Mass on 16th Oct.2022 at the St. Thomas More Church in Petaling Jaya. All the Catholic Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacist and International Medical University Medical Students (IMU) entered the Church in a Procession wearing their White Uniforms.

Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic we were unable to hold the White Mass for the past 3 Years until now.

There was a writeup about the White Mass in the Herald Newsletter.

I am forwarding it to you now so that you can put it in our AFCMA Website for all the AFCMA Members to read.

BTW I am glad to hear from Dr. Juliet Mathew that everything went well at the recently concluded FIAMC Congress in Rome and that you gave a good report about the 17th AFCMA Congress Malaysia.

Please keep in touch.

Thank you and God Bless!

In Jesus,

Dr. Freddie Loh.

Statement by the President of AFCMA: 

Stop the war in Ukraine!

On February 24, at noon (Japan time), the Russian army began its invasion of Ukraine. The fighting between the two armies has already intensified, and it is reported that there are casualties not only among soldiers but also among civilians including young children. We, the Catholic doctors of Asian Federation of Catholic Medical Associations (AFCMA), firmly oppose any war as a means of conflict resolution.

Let us now remember the opening words of the "Appeal for Peace" issued by Pope St. John Paul II when he visited Hiroshima, Japan on February 25, 1981.

"War is the work of man. War is destruction of human life. War is death."

At a time when humanity is confronted with medical problems to be solved, such as the worldwide spread of a new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the use of military force to invade is just not right.

The AFCMA cannot turn a blind eye to this war as it is happening far away from us.

We call out to the world. Let's raise our voices to stop the war now. And, in particular, as St. John Paul II admonished Heads of State and of Government, and those who held political and economic power, in his Appeal for Peace in Hiroshima, we call on our fellow leaders around the world in the same words.

"Let us pledge ourselves to peace through justice. Let us take a solemn decision, now, that war will never be tolerated or sought as a means of resolving differences. Let us replace violence and hate with confidence and caring."

March 1, 2022

Shigeyuki Kano

President, AFCMA

Message by the President of the AFCMA for the 30th World Day of the Sick, February 11, 2022

 

Thirty years ago, St. John Paul II instituted the World Day of the Sick (WDS) on February 11, the day of the anniversary of Our Lady of Lourdes, to raise awareness of the need for Catholic health institutions, civil society and the people of God to be increasingly attentive to the sick and to those who care for them. On the occasion of the 30th WDS, Pope Francis admonished us healthcare workers to remember that our service alongside the sick, carried out with love and competence, transcends the bounds of our profession and becomes a mission, and to be mindful of the great dignity of our profession, as well as the responsibility that it entails.

On this WDS, I think of those who are suffering today because of the global pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). I also think of the many people around the world who are sick and untreated because they live in poverty and hunger, because of lack of safe water and environment, and because of gender and other social discrimination. In particular, we have to ask ourselves that the health care professionals as well as the general civil society and policy leaders, are showing dedication and generosity with our professional skills, sacrificial spirit, and the sense of responsibility to the most marginalized. We have to also ask now whether we can be reflecting the image of Christ and the Good Samaritan (Luke 10.33-37) through our acts of kindness and friendliness.

It has been observed that the diagnosis of COVID-19 and vaccines are not distributed fairly and equitably. The percentage of major industrialized countries that have completed the required number of vaccinations is over 80%, and about 50% worldwide. However, many African countries still have single digit vaccination rates in the 1% range (Ethiopia, Tanzania, etc.) and 2% range (Nigeria, Sudan, etc.). We need to devise ways to deliver coronavirus vaccines to the "vaccine-weak" people of the world.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the situation in which the most vulnerable including the elderly are left behind and least able to protect themselves, suffering from inadequate medical systems and lack of care. We need to remember well that Jesus invites the sick, the oppressed and the poor on the WDS, as Pope Francis says, and to put into visible practice the rule of love that Jesus left for his disciples. Let us answer the invitation to care for the weak and suffering in our society and to relate to the sick in a humane way, striving to ensure that no one is left behind.

President, 

Asian Federation of Catholic Medical Association

Shigeyuki Kano

Christmas Message by the President of the AFCMA to its members

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I would like to congratulate you on the birth of our Lord.

I hope you are all safe and healthy in this corona pandemic.

This year was a special year for the Asian Federation of Catholic Medical Associations (AFCMA). The 17th AFCMA Congress 2021 was successfully organized as a virtual congress by the Catholic Doctors Association of Malaysia from 16th to 19th September 2021. The theme of the congress was "Building Bridges through Healing and Spirituality". During the meeting, there were various kinds of reports on the daily medical services that everyone was invited to do, especially by those who were poor and small in a corner of the neighborhood. As Pope Francis preached at the Easter Vigil, "Let us go to Galilee" (Mark 16:07), I was reminded that it was on the frontier that Jesus invited his disciples to go on mission.

The achievement of the health care where no one is left behind is now a common global understanding, with Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as a target in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but it is still a challenge. Particularly, in such a diverse region as Asia, it will be difficult to achieve the UHC even in each country. In Asia, where the teachings of Christ have not widely penetrated, what we need to do is to transform the world through solidarity by faith. I believe this is the most necessary thing to do, especially in societies where the poor and the small are suffering terribly from the COVID-19 pandemic. Let us pray and go for our own mission.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a new year full of hope.

May God continue to bless you abundantly.

December 24, 2021

Shigeyuki Kano, MD & PhD

President, AFCMA

Board Member of Japanese Catholic Medical Association (JCMA)