On October 18, 2006, Most Rev. Michael J. Bransfield, Bishop, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston promulgated his first pastoral letter, A Church That Heals. Written for West Virginia's 100,000 Roman Catholics, it also provides food for thought for all residents in the state, especially those who work tirelessly to impact policy issues in the state government, those who have a stake in the health of others, and all those who work for justice on behalf of the poor and vulnerable.

The Impetus for the Letter The health of each of us is related to the health of all of us. The power and possibility of health is missed if the focus is only on the individual. In his October 18, 2006 pastoral letter, A Church That Heals, the Most Rev. Michael J. Bransfield, Bishop, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, recognizes the church’s role in furthering the state of health in West Virginia. He challenges communities to reflect upon the abundant life given to them by God, and His call to the mission of healing body, mind, heart and spirit as proclaimed in the gospel of Luke. Bishop Bransfield calls the faithful to be responsible stewards of health.

Acknowledging the statistics that describe the ill health and unhealthy behaviors; geographic, economic, and cultural obstacles to accessing healing services of all types in West Virginia, Bishop Bransfield urges us to recognize those most vulnerable to these conditions. We must continue the struggle for justice in the region and release the cooperative power of our own people to insure that all enjoy abundant life.

The letter is not just meant to raise awareness but to establish a culture of change in the way we live. We have seen an erosion of the life and vigor of Christ’s mission of healing. It is too simplistic to call a health crisis of major proportions in our state a matter of self-infliction, unintended victimization or circumstantial collateral damage. Today the Church is being called not simply to change but to transform the health of her communities, rebuilding and restoring in such a way that equitable opportunities for health are available to all, and a new vision of what it means to be a healthy community is created. We as members of the body of Christ can no longer afford to let our fellow family members and neighbors wait until they are broken for us to reach out and attempt to support their health. As a Church that heals, we must renew Luke’s call to the ministry of health and well-being. It is incumbent for caring people and mission-centered institutions and individuals to address the problems and effect solutions.

The Impact of the Catholic Church in West Virginia Without challenge, the Diocese of Wheeling Charleston is a long time and heavily-involved provider of health and related services statewide. The Diocese is involved in health delivery through three hospitals serving 495,000 patients a year; homes for the aged and dependent adolescents helping more than 750 persons a year; 17 school-based health centers in 17 counties; and community health outreach grants that exceeded $8 million in the last nine years.

Additionally, the Diocese's Catholic Community Services (CCS) is second to the state in providing social services. They administer Medicaid programs to 308 persons in 27 counties annually; child-family health services to 1,850 persons in 17 counties annually; developmentally delayed child services to 395 children in eight counties a year; food nutrition exceeding 175,000 meals in 18 counties to 5,300 persons a year; health clinics serving 4,300 children a year; child day care centers that service 6,800 children annually; food banks that serve nearly 71,000 persons a year; and other programs.

To meet the spiritual needs of the faithful, the diocese has four Pastoral Centers that operate as places of gathering for purposes of education, spiritual growth and human development. They offer many opportunities for individuals and groups to draw a little closer to their God, by stepping away from life's hectic pace. In addition to their Sunday celebration of the Eucharist, the 111 parishes in the diocese also provide for the spiritual and pastoral needs of the community.

Much of this impact can be attributed to the religious women and men who, by their self-sacrifice, have served throughout the state. Particularly noteworthy is their ministry to the underserved and in geographically remote areas of the state, efficiently using the resources available to them.

Preparation for the Letter New to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston 18-months ago, Bishop Bransfield charged his staff to listen to issues surrounding the health of people in the state. They spoke with more than 400 men and women, clergy and laity, young and old and people of all races, income levels, educational background and work experiences in all parts of the state. They convened focus groups, conducted individual interviews, and gathered input through on-line surveys.
Among the many suggestions for the church’s response, the following were the most frequently heard:

• A call for advocacy on behalf of the poor and a call to help train the poor as advocates for themselves;
• A concern for social connectedness to strengthen health in our communities and to advocate for just health systems;
• An emphasis on spirituality as a means to strengthen and sustain the health of individuals and communities; and
• A call for health education, health fairs and free screenings for chronic conditions with the assistance of newly-developed parish health and wellness ministries.

The Bishop’s recommendations The pastoral letter calls the church to inspire partnerships building healthier communities. Bishop Bransfield sets an agenda for change:

• To respond to the call for a church that heals, the church must be a credible witness of healthy living through word and action.
• To be mission-centered, we must own the problems and the solutions for creating environments where health and well-being might be possible for all.
• To better meet the special needs of youth for safe activities, of the elderly for companionship and of the environment for our continued and improved stewardship.
• To address the root problems of illness and involve the community in finding solutions.
• To address the irony, if not the hoax, of policies that give with one hand and take with the other.
• To match the natural and human resources of our state with our moral resources—such as interdependence, faith, respect for the dignity of each person and stewardship.
• To encourage a spirit of service to one another and create communities of care and compassion.
• To empower people to take charge of their own health and to have a stake in the health of others.
• To develop local churches to serve as a resource for health and well-being.
• To promote a transportation system that does not rely solely on the individual automobile.
• To call on educational institutions to join efforts to overcome health challenges in our communities.
• To develop a contemplative stance as we journey through life.

With a sense of urgency, Bishop Bransfield asks the question, “Where will we find a church that heals?” Yet the diversity among parishes and the regions of the state calls the faithful to translate the pastoral letter into pastoral plans adapted to the circumstances and needs of each community.

Promulgated on the Feast of St. Luke, Physician and Evangelist, Bishop Bransfield summons and sends the faithful of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston with a reminder of the mission of Jesus Christ: “For Jesus, healing is never just the healing of the body but also mind, heart and spirit. It is not just about making people physically better, but it is about hearts made whole, sins forgiven and a world healed. The very proclamation of the word is meant to heal and cannot be separated from care of neighbor.”