The university city of Lublin became the first Polish city to host the Creighton Model FertilityCare System Education Phase I from November 30 to December 07 2008. This is the first of a four part education system, spread over 13 months, consisting of Education Phases I and II, interspersed with the Supervised Practica I and II. Completing this first phase, the Practitioners and Medical Consultants will begin educating and treating clients.
Our late Holy Father John Paul II, a long-time professor of Ethics at Lublin’s Catholic University was a strong supporter of Dr. Thomas Hilgers and his work of 30 years on the Creighton Model. This work has culminated in the development of NaProTechnology, a new reproductive science which devotes its medical, surgical and allied health energies and attention to co-operating with the natural procreative mechanisms and functions.
Dr. Maciej Barczentewicz, President of the Foundation of John Paul II Institute for Marital Infertility Treatment, served as a most gracious site host. Our thanks also go to Rubikon publishing company which played a pivotal role in providing certain materials for this course. The dream of the director of the program, Janina Filipczuk, to promote the Creighton Model and NaProTechnology in Poland has now begun. Three Educators: Kathy Rivet, Phyllis White, Margaret Neale and a Medical Consultant, Dr. Teresa McKenna assisted in conducting the program. Six physicians and twenty other professionals participated in this Education Phase I.
Participants in the course
In this year, the 40th anniversary of Humanae Vitae, it is appropriate to reflect on the personal response of one of those physicians who took up the call made by Pope Paul VI to scientists and physicians to assist couples in their regulation of births. In the 1970s Dr. Thomas Hilgers, a young obstetrician/gynecologist chose to dedicate his entire research and practice to ethically assisting couples in identifying their times of fertility and infertility.
Over time he discovered many physical and physiological disorders underlying infertility and gynecological problems as well as the means of treating them successfully in an ethically acceptable manner. The interest of physicians has been greatly increased by the publication of the textbook “The Medical and Surgical Application of NaProTechnology”. Natural Procreative Technology encompasses women’s gynecological and procreative health care as well as fertility care and family planning.
Visiting Rome in February 2004, Dr. Hilgers presented a first draft of the textbook to Pope John Paul II and it was gladly received. The Holy Father’s failing health prevented his seeing its publication in July 2004.
NaProTechnology is spreading throughout the world and Poland is the latest country to receive this gift. As this first group of students grows in their knowledge of this new science and its application to procreation, Poland will begin to enjoy the fruits of her long years of pain and suffering. The ancient and beautiful city of Lublin will continue to manifest the great blessing of having had a saintly John Paul II in its midst from his early priesthood to his pontificate. No doubt he is watching over us all.
Teresa McKenna MD
