Bioethics, Health Care, and Catholic Teaching
An Educational Formation Program for Health Care Professionals, Catechists, Educators, and Clergy
Welcome to our site
Today’s medical issues are complex, and so are the ethical decisions that envelop them. “Every educated Catholic must be able to explain the Catholic position on key bioethical issues knowledgeably” (Dr. Edmund Pellegrino, Chair of the President’s Council on Bioethics). Greater education in the area of bioethics is essential for ensuring that the people of God receive ethically sound health care and to ensure that Church teachings are represented in the ongoing debates.
What is Converging Roads?
Converging Roads is an educational formation program that covers the topics of bioethics, health care, and Catholic teaching. The seminars are specifically designed for health care professionals, catechists, educators, and clergy, but are open to anyone who wishes to attend.
The Converging Roads seminar series will consist of four seminars that begin in the fall of 2009 and conclude in the spring of 2010. They will be comprehensive, educational, and pastoral in nature, in order to meet the needs of each participant. The Converging Roads seminars are methodically structured, first providing participants with a foundation in ethical principles and then applying these principles to topics of human sexuality, implications for human procreation, beginning of life issues, medical interventions across the lifespan, end of life issues, and social concerns. The program will also explore Christ’s role as physician and take a thorough look at bioethics in Magisterial documents. Click here to learn more about the seminars.
Who will teach these seminars?
The core education will be taught by qualified instructors on the Converging Roads faculty and each seminar will also feature a Distinguished Speaker. These will be professionals who have exceptional experience and expertise in integrating bioethics, health care, and Catholic teachings in their professional setting. Click here to see the presenters.
What are the benefits of participating in Converging Roads?
Doctors, nurses, medical students, and other health care workers will be better informed for making decisions in the many ethical situations they are faced with. They will be more able to dialogue with the culture and their professional setting from a bioethical standpoint. Health care professionals will also gain insights on developing a medical practice that honors God and the Catholic faith.
Clergy, religious, and lay persons who are active in ministry will more clearly respond to the complex ethical questions encountered in ministerial settings and will be able to respond with pastoral care.
School teachers and other educators who have an influential role in forming the consciences of our youth will be able to provide a solid education and example, based on ethical principles and Magisterial teaching.
All participants will benefit from greater awareness of resources, opportunities to dialogue with other Catholic professionals, and the inspiration to live a more authentically Catholic life. Furthermore, educational credits may be available for you.
Click here for information on registration.
Upcoming Events
The Archdiocese of San Antonio's 2nd Annual White Mass
Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 9:00am
San Fernando Cathedral
Celebrant: Most Reverence Oscar Cantu, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio
"Suffering, Compassion & Healing in Medicine"
Converging Roads Conference
November 6, 2010
San Antonio, Texas
"Caring for Persons with Disabilities: Contemporary Theological,
Ethical & Legal Perspectives"
Converging Roads Conference
February 5, 2011
San Antonio, Texas
Recent News
New Conference! “Suffering, Compassion & Healing in Medicine”
The theme for the next Converging Roads seminar is “Suffering, Compassion and Healing in Medicine”. This inspiring and informative event will be held at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital in downtown San Antonio, Texas. We will post information about our speakers as we confirm them, so check here for updates.
Future Conference – Save these Dates!
Here are some important dates for your calendars:
The next Converging Roads conferences in San Antonio are scheduled for November 6, 2010 and February 5, 2011. The new themes will be announced here soon and we are sure they will be of interest to you! Registration will begin in the summer of 2010.
Saturday, October 16, 2010 is [...]
Click here to see all news items
“End-of-life and beginning of life issues, as well as vital ethical questions surrounding medical care, are not simply 'Catholic' issues or matters of faith. They concern the most fundamental questions in any human civilization: Who gets to live and who does not—and who gets to decide this question? It is my hope that health care professionals, catechists, educators and clergy attending the Converging Roads seminars will be better prepared to promote with confidence and compassion a culture of life.”
-Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, S.T.D.