What does the Church say about holistic health?
The Catholic Church underscores the integral nature of human health and how it encompasses all dimensions of physical, psychological, and spiritual wellness. This understanding is rooted in the core belief that each person is created in the image of God, united in body and soul, and possesses inherent dignity1. Through offering compassionate care that respects human dignity and considers the needs of the whole person, medical providers help further the mission of Jesus and His healing ministry 2.
An Integrative Approach
According to the Church, health is not merely the absence of illness but a state of overall well-being. Pope John Paul II affirms this view by stating, “only by serving man’s total well-being can medicine contribute to his progress and happiness” 3. This holistic perspective recognizes that illness affects the whole person and that healing must ultimately strive to address all dimensions of human existence 4.
Ethical Considerations
The Church teaches that medical care must respect the dignity and the integrity of the human person. This means that while advancements in medicine can be beneficial for achieving certain goals, they should not lead to the manipulation or destruction of the human body in a manner that compromises human nature.
Both medical professionals and patients must strive to uphold the true good of the human person by ensuring that healthcare, both offered and received, is in conformity with natural law and the moral teachings of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church 5.
For more information about the Church’s teachings on morality and healthcare, visit the National Catholic Bioethics Center.
References
1 Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd ed., Libreria Editrice Vaticana – United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2000, 362.
2 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Doctrinal Note on the Moral Limits to Technological Manipulation of the Human Body, 20 Mar. 2023, 22.
3 Pope John Paul II, Address to the 15th International Conference of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, 17 Nov. 2000, 3.
4 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, 2018.
5 ibid