St. Mary's Hospital, managed by
the diocese of Seoul, was selected as the number-one hospital in the
country for the outstanding services provided to its patients. In giving
the award, the Korean Standard Association considered all business
enterprises, not only hospitals. And this
is not the first time for
such praise, as the the editorial in the Peace Weekly points out, as
does an accompanying article. Over the years, they have received other
awards for the extraordinary care shown their patients. The credit
belongs, say hospital personnel, to the respect they have for life,
which is the motivating
force behind the running of the hospital.
"The
hospital that doesn't satisfy the desires of its patrons will not
continue to exist" is their motto. St. Mary's has made it a regular part
of their service to patients to listen carefully to those who come to
the hospital, and has done everything possible to please them: doctors
monitor patients around the clock, nurses follow the angel system of
nursing, and first-time patients are accompanied by hospital personnel while at the hospital, and there are many other ways they try to satisfy the needs of their patients.
Another
reason for welcoming the award, the editorial cited, is that the
hospital is following the teachings of Jesus. Our Lord told us to love
our neighbor as ourselves. This is the reason the Church exists and the
reason for all its works. Of all the works managed by the Church,
hospitals especially, and other places that care for the sick, should be
model examples of this kind of compassion.
The
editorial notes that though there are many different operations run by
the Church, too many to count, if these operations do not show the
compassion of Jesus, there is no reason for their existence. The reason
the Church is running these operations is not to make money, it goes on
to say, but to express and share the love of Christ.
When
customers are happy dealing with a Church-run organization, such as St.
Mary's, it's a sign the organization is acting in a Christ-like way.
The editorial expresses the hope that St. Mary's will be the model for
all operations of the Church.