The Common Good
“A society that wishes and intends to remain at the service of the human being at every level is a society that has the common good—the good of all people and of the whole person—as its primary goal. The human person cannot find fulfilment in himself, that is apart from the fact that he exists ‘with’ others and ‘for’ others...The common good therefore involves all members of society...”
(Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church)
“Underlying the principle of the common good is respect for the human person as such, endowed with basic and inalienable rights ordered to his or her integral development. It has also to do with the overall welfare of society and the development of a variety of intermediate groups, applying the principle of subsidiarity. Outstanding among those groups is the family, as the basic cell of society. Finally, the common good calls for social peace, the stability and security provided by a certain order which cannot be achieved without particular concern for distributive justice; whenever this is violated, violence always ensues. Society as a whole, and the state in particular, are obliged to defend and promote the common good.” (Pope Francis, Laudato si’ no. 157)
WHAT IS THE COMMON GOOD?
Catholic Social Teaching is integral to the principles and values of Solidarity Bridge, an association of Catholic laity that focuses on providing lifesaving surgeries, advanced surgical skill training, and essential medical equipment through healthcare partnerships in Bolivia and Paraguay. Katie Dorner, Senior Director of Mission and Identity, describes The Common Good as facilitating “social conditions, which allow people, either as groups or individuals, to reach their fulfillment, more fully and more easily”. Solidarity Bridge believes everyone should have access to safe healthcare as part of The Common Good.
HOW DOES SOLIDARITY BRIDGE PRACTICE THE COMMON GOOD?
According to Katie Dorner, Solidarity Bridge utilizes what they consider to be a unique sustainability model in the world of health missions. Since its inception in 1999, Solidarity Bridge has cultivated long term relationships with local personnel, forming mutual partnerships that build capacity in the countries they serve by supporting local surgeons in advanced training and enabling access to new technologies by sending medical equipment and supplies. Their missioners come from varied backgrounds, but are motivated by Catholic universality, the recognition that we are all global citizens, “one with each other.”
WHAT IS THE IMPACT?
The long-term training and mentorship model utilized by Solidarity Bridge led to the establishment of Puente de Solidaridad in 2005, a permanent office in Bolivia that oversees the year-round activities of the program at the local level in co-operation with the team in the United States. They have developed working relationships with more than 120 medical partners across Bolivia and Paraguay. Together with skilled local surgeons, Solidarity Bridge has served over 30,000 patients and donated over $48 million in medical supplies and equipment.
The positive impact of this effort is exemplified in the partnership between Solidarity Bridge’s Neurosurgery and Neurology Institute (NNI) and Hospital Santa Barbara in Sucre, Bolivia. In just four years, local neurosurgeons are treating patients with advanced procedures that provide better care, fewer life-long complications, and more lives saved. In Paraguay, Dr. Kuzli, Chief Neurosurgeon at Hospital Nacionalde Itaugua, is performing complex neurosurgeries and training other local neurosurgeons so more patients can be served with these life-saving techniques.
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
Visit SolidarityBridge.org to learn how you can participate in the mission of Solidarity Bridge and their continuing efforts to support surgical care to Bolivia and Paraguay in service of The Common Good.. The Get Involved page makes it easy to find out more about volunteering in the US or as part of traveling mission team, connecting your parish to answer the Gospel call of healing the sick, or donating money or medical supplies.