To bring understanding: how a Franciscan Friar serves as a Hospital Chaplain
What would you do?
Several years ago I was serving at a Retreat Center when I was called to the nearby Hospital’s ICU because a Catholic patient was in critical condition. Upon arriving, I learned that the “Code Blue” staff was attempting to revive a man who had suffered a heart attack, but with no apparent success. I was led into the room where the family was anxiously awaiting news about their husband and Dad. I did not volunteer any information about what I had been advised, simply because I was not authorized to do so and it would have been inappropriate. I had not yet seen the patient nor anointed him.
Finally, the doctor arrived. He seemed to be using medical jargon that was not apparently understood by the bewildered wife. One daughter seemed to be taking the authority role for the family. The others were present, somewhat engaged in the conversation and expressing sorrow at their Father’s sudden decline.
He had been suffering from some kind of cancer and had arrived that day at the hospital for his regular chemotherapy treatment. Suddenly, after one such treatment, he exhibited signs of distress and went into cardiac arrest. Now he was on a ventilator and was unconscious with no apparent brain activity.
When the doctor finished explaining all this and the apparent condition of the man, he asked the wife – with the adult children present – what he should do. What did she want him to tell the attending physician to do? To continue working on her husband or to stop working on him?
She appeared quite emotionally overwrought and bewildered. The daughter who was acting as family spokesperson, herself emotionally involved, tried to take control of the situation by trying to address her Mom. It seemed that this was all too quick for the wife and nothing was being decided.
What would you do? This is not a test to determine right or wrong. It is an exercise in real pastoral ministry and some possible responses. When you submit your answer, you'll be able to see what I did and you'll be able to see images of San Damiano, Assisi, Italy.
