{"id":582417,"date":"2026-07-29T16:04:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T13:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=582417"},"modified":"2026-07-29T16:04:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T13:04:16","slug":"bishop-benedict-doctors-who-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/bishop-benedict-doctors-who-love\/","title":{"rendered":"Bishop Benedict calls for compassionate doctors, priests and teachers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Great Martyr and Healer Saint Panteleimon was also honoured<\/a> on Monday at the parish serving the Prof. Dr Ioan Pu\u0219ca\u0219 Municipal Hospital in \u0218imleu Silvaniei, S\u0103laj County, Romania.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bishop Benedict of S\u0103laj celebrated the Divine Liturgy and said in his homily that society needs “doctors who love,” as well as priests and teachers who remain close to those entrusted to their care.<\/p>\n

The bishop said that St Panteleimon stands as both an example and a measure of how Christians should approach those in need of help.<\/p>\n

“Illness begins to heal when we encounter someone who understands us and loves us. We need doctors who love. We need priests who draw close to people. We need teachers who come close to their children. We need people who become personally involved in the work they have to do.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

“It is not enough simply to write a prescription and send the patient home or to the pharmacy. It is not enough merely to say a prayer in church and leave the faithful to return home alone. It is not enough to assign homework to our children without accompanying them and supporting them in what they have to do,” the bishop continued.<\/p>\n

“We need personal presence and personal relationships. This is exactly what St Panteleimon did: he went to the homes of the sick, gave them his full attention, and spoke with them so that bodily healing would go hand in hand with the healing of the soul.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Among those concelebrating were Archdeacon Sergiu-Iustin Pop, diocesan counsellor and a son of the parish; Fr Prof. Cosmin Porcar, school inspector; the parish priest, Fr Petru-Mircea Pop; and other invited clergy.<\/p>\n

The liturgical responses were sung by the parish choir under the direction of Maria Pop, the parish priest’s wife.<\/p>\n

In recognition of his support and commitment to St Panteleimon Church in \u0218imleu Silvaniei, Aurel Corciu, the parish’s honorary chief churchwarden, received a certificate of appreciation from Bishop Benedict.<\/p>\n