Greetings to all faithful readers of this monthly, diocesan, catholic publication: ‘Upon this Rock.’ While Fr. Stuart is on a well-deserved extended break, I will write the Foreword. So, please, fear not. I trust you will not mind me standing-in.
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we
time given to us?
How shall May Peace and Goodness fall upon you dear reader.
“I pray that these words will find you all healthy and in good spirits as we get used to our new routines! Last month we spoke about time management with an excerpt from Tolkien’s book: “The Lord of the Rings”, this month we develop the theme and bring in some heroes from Star Wars to take us along a path of spiritual growth.” What is being referred to is not just empty activity, rather, purposeful tasks that could very well enrich our bodies, minds and hearts. We would then find ourselves
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use the
in a good position to really live life. The tendency today is “do as you please”. I prefer: “please [others] as you do”. We are put on this earth to be creative; to be good managers.
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Part 2
A good manager knows that his/ her management skills begin within one’s own personal life. Then, the good manager, with the right skills, can make a success story of all professional
It is apparent to me that the ‘Jedi Master Yoda’ character spent time growing in the spiritual force rather than neglecting his spiritual life. He understands the force with a religious basis and becomes one with it. endeavours. We could apply the picture, shown left, to our own lives. We all need to manage our lives for success! If you can, whenever you have some time, think of each individual word that the image indicates and how it may relate to you. Whether you realise it or not, this thinking is already healthy as it can very well contribute to that, most desired, quality of life. While a physical exam helps to ward off serious illnesses, a spiritual check-up enables us to have better quality of life, helps with spiritual coping and secures overall peace in our lives. The COVID-19 pandemic offers us the opportunity to give extra TLC to our spiritual lives. As you consider a spiritual check-up, it is good to start with baseline data that gives you insights on changes you may wish to make. In our spiritual lives, symptoms that something is wrong may go unnoticed and affect our lives in negative ways. You may not see the urgency of the moment and do something to fix it. In the sci-fi epic “Star Wars,” the divine is pictured as a
spiritual force that binds everyone together. One of the best examples of a spiritually healthy person in the franchise is Jedi Master Yoda. It is apparent to me that this character spent time growing in the spiritual force rather than neglecting his spiritual life. He understands the force with a religious basis and becomes one with it. For you, this commitment could look like promising to do good works or praying daily. This is not a one-size-fits-all and it is different from one person to the next. Someone once told me that every person has an unlimited capacity for spiritual growth. For this reason, the key is to start with something as the springboard for spiritual growth. This could be using this time as a spiritual retreat, getting involved in the study of a good spiritual book or many other related activities. I see religion and spirituality as non-competing entities; one should strengthen the other. Above all, the purity of the heart is the key ingredient here. God has a way of
communicating the truth to people who have made a commitment to serving Him. At various points along this commitment journey of faith, it may seem like you are spinning your wheels or taking five steps forward followed by four steps back. Often, we learn more from our failures than our successes in the spiritual realm. Your commitment moves you forward along the spiritual plain and you should look for results in the short and long terms. A good example is a jigsaw puzzle. It gets a little easier as more pieces fall into
place. It doesn’t just happen, but this can come in the form of acquiring new knowledge, attending religious activities and performing various service activities. With the COVID-19 pandemic, many activities must be completed virtually due to social distancing guidelines. Yes, it is important to assess where you are now with your baseline spirituality. Maybe you made a commitment to do this in the past and you failed to continue the work, but it is never too late to get started again. However, setting a new goal moves you forward. The times we live in, enables you to develop new goals because our regular routines have been shaken. Remember to measure your goals so that you can celebrate your successes later.
My best wishes on the journey ahead. I will love you and leave you with the previously mentioned phrase: “ … All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” Images, Yoda: StarWars.com/ desktopimages.org. Blackboard:
Editor: Fr. S. Chipolina: editor@uponthisrock.gi. Interim Editor Fr. Michael Bonifacio. Production Editor: A. Sargent: angela@europeaxess.com. Upon this Rock magazine is entirely supported by advertising and donations. It is run in liaison with the Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar by EuropeAxess Media Ltd., as a not-for-profit project. For Advertisers: This magazine is handdelivered to homes, many businesses around Gibraltar every month Covid-19 guidelines permitting. To discuss your advertising requirements, or promote your church group or charity, call Tel: +350 200 79335 email: angela@europeaxess.com. Editorial is selected by EuropeAxess Media in liaison with the Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar. Neither of these parties is responsible for the accuracy of the information contained herein, nor do the views and opinions expressed herein necessarily reflect the views and opinions of either party. Advertisers are not endorsed by virtue of advertising in this magazine. EuropeAxess Media Ltd. reserves the right to refuse space to any submissions or advertisements. Efforts have been made to establish copyright owners of images, but if we have used your material, and have not credited you, please contact us to discuss restoration. Cover: Gibraltar viewed from the Mediterranean Sea 27.08.2020 © A. Sargent
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Towards Christian Unity
The Urgency of Christian Unity O
n Sunday the 23rd of August, thanks to Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar Carmel Zammit’s ecumenical fraternity, I had the joy of celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of Saint Mary the Crowned, for the small Orthodox community in Gibraltar and the Campo area, on the occasion of the Apodosis (Leave-taking) of the Feast of the Dormition (Assumption) of the Most Holy Mother of God.
Prior to that I attended the 12:00 Eucharist. In spite of the signs of mutual respect, it is inevitable to feel pain at the separation of our respective Churches. In old times it was customary to define the Faith as “Orthodox” and the Church as “Catholic”. The term “Orthodox” was used by all the ancient Churches in order to express their union in faith with the Church of Apostolic times. The differences started when each community tried to explain what the aforesaid union meant to it. If we admit that God created humankind in order to divinise it, in order to take it to the Divine Betrothal, we must also admit a dynamic conception of the Church. We cannot affirm that God exists and, at the same time, close ourselves to others. Even though Christians are divided, deep inside we are still one. Whenever a nonOrthodox community celebrates a Eucharist that nourishes its Saints, it is giving testimony to a degree of ecclesiality that must be admitted as legitimate in an active theology of the Church. The existence of a Saint is in itself sufficient proof in order to call into question our divisions in a radical way: this holy person has, in a way, overcome the sin of division
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among Christians during the tormentous history of the Church. I think that St. Seraphim of Sarov or St. Francis of Assisi, as well as other great Saints of God, have made a reality in their lives the union of the Churches. These Saints are already citizens of the One and Universal Church, and they have, so to say, surpassed confessional divisions in their higher state. Up in the Highest, with their holiness, they have overthrown the walls mentioned by Metropolitan Platon Gorodetsky of Kiev (18031891): “The walls of separation do not rise as far as Heaven”. God is beyond whatever we may think or say. As we have been created in God’s image, human love and man’s use of his freedom for good or evil, in science and technology, in art or in daily life, is a “mystery”, a reality without an end. In the same way, the Church is far from being reduced to a mere institution, a reality in space and time, a sociological and juridical phenomenon: the Holy Church is a divinehuman mystery that goes much beyond what we can see, say or understand. Only God knows the boundaries of His Church. We must reject the confusion between what we can humanly perceive or conceive and the reality of the Church. There are actually varying degrees of Holiness, Catholicity and Apostolicity outside of the visible boundaries of our Churches. We must admit with joy and thankfulness the fact that through and in the Holy Spirit the Risen Christ’s redemption awaits all men and women. How could we possibly think that the Holy Spirit, widely spread at Pentecost, will not act in a deifying way on those who keep an unbreakable fidelity to their faith? We should not think about the Church as an institution, but
as the Virginal Bride of the Risen Lord according to St. Paul’s matrimonial theology (Ephesians 5,29-33): of course, Bride and Groom are one only body, and wherever Christ is, there is the Church too. Ecumenism -whose goal is not to achieve a “larger” and more powerful Church, because nothing belongs to her, but to her divine Lordmeans conversion, repentance and humility. It is the exact opposite of proselytising: we should not aim at converting others, but at converting ourselves. We should not live and think against the other, but “towards” the other. Whatever confession we may belong to, we must onerously but healthily go through the crucible of “metanoia”, of repentance. Eastern Christians have gone along the centuries through a series of sufferings that have not affected the West. They have also lived in great poverty, which has brought forward among them some Saints who have shone with an unimaginable light. The trust of Orthodox Christians in the glory of their Church is a healthy need for the rest of Christendom. When Eastern Christians abandon their mistrust of the West, they will discover their own genius and spiritual strength, as well as their contribution to world civilisation. When the moment arrives, dialogue with Rome must be on an equal basis, serene, far from polemics and free from any self-defence. Maybe then the
Orthodox will recognise in the Bishop of Rome the adequate prerogatives to foster “the good estate of the holy Churches of God” (Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom) in all things necessary. The only thing requested by Eastern Christians is to be fully present, taking part in all that concerns our common action and witness. Thanks to the goodness of our God, we proclaim the same Gospel; we celebrate the Sacraments; in the diversity of our liturgies, we address the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit; we accept the seven Ecumenical Councils; we venerate the Most Holy Mother of God and a great number of common Saints. These are all signs that call us to communion “without absorption or fusion, […] a reunion in truth and love”. In that dialogue, God will help us discover His wonders. He who made us one single Church for a thousand years will be able to make us consider our mutual Churches, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, as “sister Churches, responsible for maintaining the Church of God in fidelity to the divine purpose”. Archimandrite Demetrius (Sáez), Parish priest of the Orthodox Mission of the Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, Gibraltar (Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople). Translated from the Spanish original by reader Joseph Pino Photo: Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew I courtesy Americanmagazine.org
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Recent Events
Fr. Richard Ordained O
n Saturday the 19th of September, the Bishop of Cadiz, Don Rafael Zornoza presided at the Presbyteral Ordination of Rev. Fr. Richard Charles Martinez in S. A. I. Cathedral de Cadiz.
Many readers will be aware that Fr. Richard has been working towards this day for five years, he asked us to revisit his interview with Upon This Rock at that time to recap the background and circumstances of his calling. Interview in Upon This Rock Issue 147 December 2015 “My first thoughts came about mid to end of 2007; I had attended a Cursillo de Cristiandad in late March that year followed by a Charismatic Renewal Seminar. As some of you may remember I had already been involved in establishing a parent’s support group to assist those who unfortunately had seen their marriage and family life break-up; this started early 2003 and I had written various articles for the local press and had been interviewed on radio/ TV. My involvement in urging for a change in family law proceedings led me to stand at the 2007 elections, which helped foster a cross-party overall view on the need to update laws and procedures; this indeed happened after those elections. From then on I became progressively more involved in helping out in my parish, St. Paul’s, various prayer groups and at times taking part in the religious programme “In Him I Trust”. During 2008 I also contemplated the possibility of a religious life, and visited
Buckfast Abbey in early 2009, and a few times more since.” Why Cadiz? Cadiz wasn’t a choice as such, but a calling within a calling lets say; circumstances led me here. The unfortunate circumstances in which we found ourselves in as a diocese had a direct impact on my own discernment and what would happen next; Bp. Ralph was leaving and the appointment of a new bishop could take time. A decision on my going to seminary couldn’t be taken, and so a time would come that I would need to rethink my future. In mid-July this year, chatting over a coffee with Fr. Francois, he had suggested the possibility of speaking to the bishop of Cadiz; after I’d discussed the possibility with Fr. Stuart and with Bp. Ralph’s blessing, Fr. Francois explained my life circumstances and current situation with Bp. Rafael in Cadiz. Within a week he asked to see me and I had an interview with him and the rector on the 4th August, the feast day of St. Jean Marie Vianney, patron saint of priests. I thought this would be a process of various visits, and maybe starting the next year, but it turned out to be an on the spot acceptance, he asked me to formally request his diocese to accept me for priestly formation at his seminary, and this I did on the 6th August, the feast day of The Transfiguration of our Lord.
Interview with Fr. Richard immediately after his Ordination Ceremony. How do you feel now Father, after 4 years in the Seminary and 1 year working as a Deacon? “The studies were quite intensive and difficult, not only did we have to learn about the things of the church, but also theology, psychology and cannon law, all in the Spanish language. Fortunately some of my tutors spoke English and could help with some of the assignments. The past year as a Deacon has not been without problems, I was 6 months in Chiclana, and then in Gibraltar during the Covid lockdown, as well as 3 months in Medina Sidonia. After a little break I will take up the post of Curate in the parish of Casas Viejas de Benalup. As a Deacon I have mostly been doing Baptisms and Funerals, but I can do Weddings.” In total 28 people from Gibraltar travelled to Cadiz for the occasion, including many members of Fr. Richard’s family. The Gibraltar clergy were well represented, with Fr. Stuart, Mgr. Paul and Fr. Charlie all in attendance to support Fr. Richard. Many joined the celebration lunch in the square outside the Cathedral. I asked Fr. Richard if
he was happy, he did not speak but looked round the table with all his friends and family there, everyone could see the joy that shone from his countenance! We pray for every blessing on Fr. Richard’s continuing vocation, secure in the knowledge that as his prayer card given out after the event professes ‘It is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20) More photos will be posted online.
FUNDING AVAILABLE
The Christian Mission Trust provides local Christians with donations for evangelistic initiatives and outreaches. The Trust is ecumenical and has provided money to many groups, individuals and churches during the last 12 years. It is run by a Board of Trustees. We invite applications for funding from anyone who wishes to launch an evangelistic initiative or who needs support for an existing Christian missionary activity. Please write to: The Chairman, Christian Mission Trust, 4 South Pavilion Road, Gibraltar.
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ACN’s Child Bible being read by children in Zimbabwe: © Aid to the Church in Need
Godspeaks toHis children
A
lockdown project, inviting high-profile personalities to record the Bible from start to finish, has reached its climax and is now available in full.
Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) enlisted the support of bishops, a BBC presenter and an actor – among others – to each read a chapter of ‘God speaks to His children’, an abbreviated Bible for younger readers. The project, which was completed today (27th August), was originally conceived as a way to help parents during lockdown. Dr. Caroline Hull, ACN (UK)’s community outreach manager, said it will be an invaluable resource for children as they prepare to go back to school. Dr. Hull said: “We hope primary schools, families and especially young children will make use of the Child’s Bible Project in the classroom and at home.” Every weekday since Easter
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Monday (13th April) ACN uploaded to YouTube a video of a chapter being read out, and also provided a weekly workbook containing video links, activities and other resources, which can be accessed on the charity’s website. Alex Macqueen, who has starred in Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans, The Thick of It, The Inbetweeners and Peep Show, read chapter 11, while Jen Copestake, a BBC presenter, read chapter nine. About 25 Catholic bishops from Argyll and the Isles in Scotland to Plymouth in south-west England also read and reflected on a chapter. Headteachers, lay leaders as well as ACN staff and volunteers also joined in. Dr. Hull added: “I hope that everyone involved feels proud of what we have achieved both for our children here at home and also, through our prayers and support, for the millions of Christian children who receive copies of the ACN Child’s Bible elsewhere in the world.” The project came in response
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to a Bible initiative ‘The God who speaks’ by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, and celebrates ACN’s Child’s Bible which has been translated into 190 languages with more than 51 million copies printed. Lorraine McMahon, head of ACN operations in Scotland, said: “The Child’s Bible Project, like all of ACN’s School Resources, is a fantastic opportunity for ACN to engage with the youth about the work we do, through our Christian Faith. “Thank you to all of those who took time out to support our
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project.” More information about the ACN Child’s Bible Project and all 20 workbooks can be found on the ACN (UK) website: https://acnuk.org/resource/ childs-bible-project/.
Please join ACN and young people all over the world at 9am on Monday, 19th October 2020 for ‘One Million Children Praying the Rosary’. Information on how to join in will appear on the resources page of the ACN (UK) website.
Fionn Shiner and John Pontifex report on how Bishop Carmel Zammit’s Lenten appeal funds are used to help Christians around the world.
Beirut:
we will not forget you Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is preparing a second wave of help for Beirut amid growing fears that last month’s explosion could spark an exodus of Christians from Lebanon. With reports circulating that more than 100 churches, convents, Church-run schools and other institutes are in need of repairs following the blast on 4th August, a fact-finding and project-assessment team from ACN, a leading Catholic charity, is due to visit the Lebanese capital ahead of drawing up plans to provide pastoral support before the onset of winter. The aid would come on top
of the €250,000 (£220,750) emergency help provided by the charity within days of the explosion – food packages and other urgent items for nearly 6,000 families worst affected by the catastrophe. Regina Lynch, ACN Director of Projects, said: “There is a real fear that there could be an exodus of Christians.” Underlining that the Christian quarter of Beirut had borne the brunt of the blast, Ms Lynch said the Christian community needed reassurance of a plan to repair their structures to enable the faithful to continue what she called their “vital role as bridge
builders” reaching out to both Sunni and Shi‘a Muslims. She stressed the need to support many of the damaged convents and other religious institutes which operate schools, hospitals, clinics and other critical welfare support across Beirut, Lebanon and beyond. Ms Lynch said: “What happened on 4th August could turn out to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, making Christians who are concerned by the declining economic and political situation lose patience and feel the only way to secure a brighter future for their families is to start a new life elsewhere.
The world is largely silent in the face of Christian persecution. The scale of the problem is so great, silence is no longer acceptable. Persecuted Christians need YOU - and all of us! Together our prayers and actions can make a difference. You can PLEDGE YOUR SOLIDARITY by: • Praying ACN’s Prayer found in leaflets in your local Church, or your own prayers for Persecuted Christians in danger. • Sharing this article and Christian Persecution facts with others so that all understand the need.
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Bishop Carmel Zammit Lenten Appeal for‘Aid to the Church in Need’, Gibraltar International Bank, Account Name: ‘Trustees RCC/CAN’ Account Number: 00812022, Sort Code: 60-83-14.
ACN has announced a £4.38m COVID-19 emergency aid programme.
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“We want to show them that, through our assistance, there is a future for them in a country which for so long has been a beacon of Christianity for the Middle East and beyond.” ACN is coordinating its aid for Beirut with other Catholic organisations, each taking responsibility for designated areas – repair of homes, education, medical care and infrastructure. As many as 300,000 families in Beirut were displaced by the blast and Ms Lynch emphasised the need for ongoing emergency assistance, saying it would take time before their homes were repaired. Thanking ACN benefactors for their support, she said: “We were truly overwhelmed by the sympathy and generosity of the many, many people who responded so compassionately in support of those suffering in Beirut. “The messages we have received from those we are helping in Beirut make clear their gratitude to all who responded – the message was clear: those suffering are not alone.” Pope Francis has called for a day of prayer and fasting for Lebanon tomorrow (Friday). Ms Lynch urged people to take part.
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Anne Mesilio writes…
Beloved Physician T
he world is caught in the grip of a pandemic and we are inundated with medical advice from all quarters.
Doctors, at home and beyond our shores have become familiar names to us as they guide and advise us to stay safe and well, or in the event of illness how to seek help. In this 21st century medical knowledge is freely available powered by the advances in technology that have helped improve health care. Patient care has become safer and more reliable as the advancements have permitted better diagnosing and treatment. The beloved physician of the title refers to St. Luke, a first century doctor, a “physician of Antioch” in modern day Turkey. He was a Gentile who converted to the new faith when he met St. Paul. He was not a disciple of Jesus but a contemporary who met with many eye witness accounts of the life of Jesus. For this reason his gospel has a unique perspective in recording the origins of the birth, ministry, death and ascension of Jesus. Other writings differ in parts from Luke’s but he was the
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only one to give personal testimony of the Blessed Virgin and showed his high regard for the dignity of women in a male dominated time, and by doing so he sought to highlight the fact that the Gospel message is meant for the whole human race. He knew exactly what he was doing when he wrote his Gospel. He tells us his goal in the opening verses: to set forth an orderly and accurate account of what had been accomplished by the life and teaching of Jesus Christ. We owe him a great debt for enriching our knowledge of that time, that ancient world when Rome ruled, yet bandits roamed free in a country rich in cereals and vegetables, vines, honey, numerous fruit and olive trees, and plentiful rich pasture, as well as a thriving fishing industry. Just because it was the 1st century we must not denigrate medical knowledge and skill. Oh no, doctors in those days have been credited with a high degree of skill, as respected, literate and qualified persons. Luke’s medical knowledge spilled over into his writing of the Gospel where for instance he used the precise medical
term “dropsy” (Luke 14;1-6) an old-fashioned or less technical term for oedema. The truth is that many were learned men, who were even in those days learning to carry out delicate operations, and instruments have been found that were used for operating on the human skull. Traditionally he is credited with painting icons of the Virgin Mary, becoming the founder of Christian iconography and making him the patron saint of artists too. One sacred painting attributed to him is titled “Salvation of the Roman people” a line which features in Pope Francis’s prayer to Mary to invoke her protection during this Covid-19 pandemic. I was not aware of this salutation and frankly had been wondering about it. This painting hangs to this day in the Basilica St. Mary Major in Rome and is much loved by Pope Francis. Luke was the first Christian physician (one who heals) and is venerated as the patron saint of physicians and surgeons. We celebrate his feast day on 18th October. We are heading into an Autumn/Winter with the threat of this virus still very real despite the past 6 months of observing protocols put in
place for own safety. Caution V Covid is needed not to repeat the dangers enhanced by wild house parties, beach parties, crazy scenes we have witnessed from bars, and just plain reckless disregard for first, ones own safety and then that of others. This pandemic is new to us in the 21st century but historically pandemics can be traced back to Athens 430BC. They have ravaged human history throughout time and even changed the course of history. Already our lives have been impacted and changed. From St. Luke to this 21st century there is no doubt, even without a pandemic nurses and doctors never hesitate to go that extra mile for their patients. On this feast day I urge you to take some time to reflect on what we take for granted today, that is the unfailing generous and compassionate care from our health workers. Throughout these past months they have continued to offer health care and advice. We must heed the science, must stop being irresponsible and yes, selfish, for the greater good. Why would you knowingly put yourself and others at risk and then expect the professional
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St. Luke, Artist and Healer. We celebrate his feast day on 18th October.
care that comes from people who are mothers, fathers, sons and daughters and may be struggling with an already overburdened system. Think about it, why would you not treat others as you would want to be treated?
Saint Luke, pray for us.
Images: Above, Pope Francis prays before the icon Salus Populi Romani (Salvation of the Roman People) which he had
restored early in his papacy. He used the newly restored icon during an extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing to pray for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic before returning it to its permanent home in the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Screenshot courtesy Vatican News/gbc.gi Centre: St. Luke paints Salus
Populi Romani while St. John signifies his approval by Baldassare Croce (Oil on panel, 1613), in the museum of the basilica. Right: The Holy Father on one of his frequent visits to the icon where it normally hangs in the Basilica St. Mary Major, Rome Š L’Observatore Romano
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Surgeon’s Hand image ©Sherry Young | Dreamstime.com
G OR AN
Part Four on
DONATION In conclusion, we ask what other options are there to Vital Organ Donation?
I
t has become very clear that “personalised medicine”, where patients are treated individually, is becoming more and more important in our health services, and is now attracting a high level of investment.
For the past three months we have been looking at the practice of using organs from human donors and highlighted some disturbing moral issues that this has raised. These researched and footnoted articles have attracted interest both online and offline at this time when Covid19 brings our mortality into sharper focus. We conclude this series on a positive note.
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This is only natural as such aids as hand-held diagnostic tools, wearable monitoring devices, and other technological healthcare advances are quickly becoming the norm. Just think of the old thermometers that used to be stuck under our tongues for minutes on end, and compare these to the electronic device currently taking the temperatures of all those that cross the border into Gibraltar! In order to develop new solutions to our health problems medical researchers use the latest technology and bioengineering tools to deepen their knowledge of human proteins, cells, tissues and organs, and this has already led to such advances as the “nano” sized capsules that can be used in human bodies to provide targeted medication delivery. Although there is still a very significant shortfall in the availability of vital donor organs, the latest developments are already reducing the need for these organs, Recent bioengineering developments strongly indicate that in the not very distant future we will be able to use a combination of the latest technology, bio-materials, and our own adult stem cells to grow replacements for any of our failing organs or other body parts. In fact, as we shall see, numerous human body parts
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have already been successfully grown in laboratories, and many of these have already been implanted successfully in humans. There are numerous reasons why human tissue and organs fail: our life expectancy is now much longer than before due to improved diet and medical care, and such issues as congenital defects, physical trauma, and disease can all effect our bodies. What excites medical researchers most is that it is now becoming possible to replace these damaged and diseased parts of our bodies with replacements that do not carry a risk of rejection, and that millions of people will be soon be able to benefit enormously from their innovations. Society will also benefit as the financial cost of the care of those waiting for organs and other transplants is reduced, along with the burden on the health services medical resources.
Mother of two, recovering from tuberculosis, receives damaged windpipe replacement. For many years now new therapies and technologies have been worked on that are capable of regenerating, or even creating, new tissue, new organs, and new body parts for human beings. In 2008 a Spanish mother of two young children, in her early thirties, was recovering from tuberculosis. The illness had left her with a damaged windpipe and a collapsed lung, and due to the high risk of subsequent infection the normal procedure
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at the time was to remove the lung.
The arrow points to the narrow area of the damaged windpipe. However, to do so would have left this young mother with only 50% of normal lung function for the rest of her life, and would have severely limited her activity level. She was offered the possibility of an experimental alternative treatment that could avoid this by her surgeon, an offer she accepted. In simple terms, the idea was to replace her damaged windpipe with a “re-engineered” one, but this procedure was still experimental. A windpipe from a recently deceased donor was sent to researchers at the University of Padua, Italy, who used detergent and enzymes to strip away all the donor’s cells. It was then coated over a four day period with the woman’s own stem cells that had been prepared for this in Bristol, England.
The windpipe graft ready for transplantation. The tube was then sent to Barcelona, where it was used to replace the woman’s damaged one. Within a month a biopsy showed that the windpipe had already developed its own blood flow. The surgery was successful, and the woman was able to resume a fully active life with her children! The risk of rejection did not exist as the tube was covered with her own cells.1 This use of adult stem cells in medicine has since become very widespread.
Rev. Dr. Bernard Farrell-Roberts MA STL PhD Deacon Young father receives new eyesight 25 years after acid attack blinded him. Another example is that of James, who was blinded in his right eye at the age of 18 after he was sprayed with ammonia by a teenager in a random attack in south London. At the age of 44 he volunteered to participate in experimental treatment which could help him recover some of his lost sight. Doctors used stem cells from his healthier left eye to grow tissue in a laboratory and restore the sight of his right eye. They cut away the scar tissue and replaced it with the laboratory-grown cells, and then implanted a donor cornea and his sight was restored. He spoke afterwards of the joy he felt when at last he could see his wife and children clearly for the first time.2 What are the other amazing developments being worked on right now in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering? What about replacements for such vital
organs as hearts, kidneys, and livers that the diagnosis of Brain Death is currently helping to provide? Well, laboratory-grown tissues, humanized animal organs, mechanical hearts, and bioartificial organs, are already providing a new source of replacement organs.
New drugs help heart patients survive as long as those who received transplants. Advances in pharmacology and technology already demonstrate that they will supplement or even take away the current need for heart organ donors. Newly devised drugs are already helping heartpatients on waiting lists to survive “as long as those who received heart transplants,”3 In fact, the latest technology has already been able to reduce the number of those waiting for heart transplants by 40%, simply by reducing the need for heart transplantation to the far safer and less complicated
heart bypass surgery.
Why is this so important? Because heart disease is the largest single cause of death. Well, worldwide more than 26 million people a year suffer from some form of heart failure, and heart disease kills almost 18 million people a year, being the largest single cause of death.4 The treatment of patients with heart disease in the United States alone is estimated to be approximately $9 billion a year.5 The need for donor hearts for transplantation has been significantly reduced in other ways as well. Back in 1982 cardiologist David Evans predicted: “The development of the mechanical heart offers a much better prospect for the future.”6 Today, many patients who suffer from severe heart failure already benefit from the use of artificial hearts. Scientists have already taken recycled hearts from dead animals and made them beat
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again after reseeding them with live cells.”7 If this procedure can be used for humans as well, the potential “for an almost limitless supply of hearts, and possibly other organs” could reduce the need for “heartbeating organ donors”. Not only would this eliminate much of the controversy that surrounds the means of organ procurement for transplantation from “braindead” individuals, but it would also improve survival rates for recipients.
Revolutionary Medtech
3-D Bioprinting technology has already been used to print heart tissue that beats on its own. Another technological advancement that is already providing promising results is the use of 3-D printing. 3-D bioprinting combines material science, cell biology, and tissue engineering, in order to mimic human tissue. It is capable of copying not only the form of an organ or body part, but also the vascular and nervous systems that it relies on in
order to function correctly. Despite these extremely complex requirements, several 3-D-bioprinted constructs and stem cell therapies have already been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). These therapies and products include those necessary to aid bone growth and wound healing, to reduce painful movement by the regeneration
of cartilage for joints, and the production of the proteins needed for bone formation and wound healing. Of course, the 3-D bioprinting of organs is far more complex than that of tissues, as it requires the delicate and complex positioning of different cell types in order to fully replicate the natural organ, and organs also require the presence of both blood vessels and nerves. Despite these complexities, 3-D bioprinting has already engineered functional cardiac tissue and heart valves, and has already printed heart tissue that beats on its own! Similar developments have also taken place in relation to livers.
Medicinal plant extracts to aid stem cell production Other research into medicinal plant extracts has aided the reproduction of stem cells
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and helped repair damaged and diseased tissues. This has led to advancements in the treatment of osteoporosis, neurodegenerative disorders, and degenerative conditions. The advantages of plant extracts are their availability, their low cost, and their nontoxicity if taken in controlled doses. They can even be used to prevent headaches and the common cold! Other vital organs too have been successfully grown in laboratories. These include transplantable human livers and bladder cells produced from adult stem cells that were taken from the recipients’ own defective organs. These were laboratory cultured and, after just two months, produced completely new bladders. Not only were the subsequent transplants successful, but the recipients were free of all negative side effects, including tissue rejection.8
Upon This Rock is online
through-stem-cell-treatment25-years-after-acid-attack-lefthim-blind-339064. Accessed 312.08.2020. 3. Leslie Miller, Emma Birks, Maya Guglin, Harveen Lamba, O.H. Frazier, “Use of Ventricular Assist Devices and Heart Transplantation for Advanced Heart Failure”, Circulation Research Volume 124, Issue 11, 24 May 2019, Pages 1658-1678. https://doi.org/10.1161/ CIRCRESAHA.119.313574 4. Savarese, G., & Lund, L. H. (2017). Global Public Health Burden of Heart Failure. Cardiac failure review, 3(1), 7–11. https:// doi.org/10.15420/cfr.2016:25:2 5. Tarride, Jean-Eric et al. “A review of the cost of cardiovascular
Advances in use of medicinal plant extracts.
I have only been able to discuss a few of these amazing developments in this article, and there are numerous others that, given enough space, I would also have mentioned. As you have seen, some experimental alternatives do already exist that make brain dead organ donors unnecessary, and many others will also do so in the near future. All the more reason for the Gibraltar Government not to have rushed through the new “Assumed Donor
disease.” The Canadian journal of cardiology vol. 25,6 (2009): e195-202. doi:10.1016/s0828282x(09)70098-4 6. D. Scott Henderson, Death and Donation: Rethinking Brain Death as a Means for Procuring Transplantable Organs, P. 164. Wipf and Stock Publishers. 8 Aug 2011, Eugene, Oregon. 7. http://www.humanitas.org/news/ news01172008.shtml Accessed 30.08.2020. 8. Dr. Anthony Atala, Stuart B Bauer, Shay Soker, James J Yoo, Alan B Retik, “Tissue-engineered autologous bladders for patients needing cystoplasty”, The Lancet, Volume 367, Issue 9518, P12411246, APRIL 15, 2006.
Consent for organ donation” legislation, a move that took away a basic human right from Gibraltar residents without any consultation during the Covid restrictions. Just a little research on their part would have demonstrated to them that there was no necessity whatsoever to do so. 1. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/ health/7735696.stm. Accessed 31.08.2020. 2. https://inews.co.uk/news/health/ man-given-his-eyesight-back-
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Conde de Niebla en la Calahorra
The Chapel of the
The History of Gibraltar’s Churches serialised by the author, Manolo Galliano Continuing a series of articles especially edited for Upon This Rock readers, dedicated to the history of Gibraltar’s many churches and chapels – not only those which are in existence in the present day, but also the very many religious establishments which were the centre of daily life on the Rock since the early 14th century.
T
he Tower of Homage of the Moorish Castle, known in Spanish times as La Calahorra [in Arabic al-qal’ah al-hurrah, meaning a separate fortress or citadel], appears to have been constructed in the mid-14th century over a previous 12th century tower.
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It served both as a last-ditch fortification for its Muslim garrison, as well as providing living quarters for its Alcaide [Military Commander]. The suite of rooms in the upper part of this tower included a small Islamic oratory, measuring about eleven feet square with the height of the apex of its domed ceiling being fifteen feet. On 31st October 1436 (7th Siege), a concerted land and sea
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assault was carried out against the Granadine defenders of the Rock by a Castilian army led by the 2nd Count of Niebla, Don Enrique de Guzmán y Castilla. During the unsuccessful withdrawal of forces stranded on a narrow beach in front of the sea fortifications, the Count, attempting to go intrepidly in their rescue, was unfortunately drowned, together with over forty of his knights and soldiers. Despite all attempts
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to negotiate the ransom of the Count’s body, the Moors consistently refused to accede to the request and opted to place his remains in a wooden box, suspending it as a war trophy from one of the turrets in the Barcina gateway. On 20th August 1462, Gibraltar was finally re-captured by the Castilians and the Count’s son, Don Juan Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, 1st Duke of Medina Sidonia, who had led the victorious Christian forces, removed the remains of his father and had them transferred to the re-consecrated main mosque (now the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned). In the meantime, the small Muslim oratory in the Calahorra Tower was refurbished as a chapel and the bones of the Count were subsequently deposited inside a chest, covered with cloth of gold, and ceremoniously placed in what would become the hero’s pantheon. Daily Masses were celebrated there for the repose of the soul of the Count and there is a specific reference in 1534 that this was undertaken by members of the Franciscan Order, which had originally arrived on the Rock circa 1476/80. In 1516, the chronicler, Pedro de Mena, was able to view the remains of the Count and found the bones to be ‘very white and clean and kept in the aforementioned wooden box, inside the said chapel’, he also noted that ‘they exude a very sweet smell, and although they are all mixed up, they appear to form an entire
skeleton, without any part missing.’ In 1534, reports on works required on the chapel, were sent to the 5th Duke of Medina Sidonia, as follows: ‘a pall… together with the altar frontal that was brought over, various altar corporals, a chalice, a pair of candlesticks, glass vials, a cross and end retablo attributed to Juan Durán. A chest in which are contained the vestments and other adornments. A small bell…Wooden grille gates are required for the chapel… manufactured in wrought ironwork and gilded or plated, this is better than just made of timber. It is also essential to whitewash the vaulting situated in front of the chapel. Also, glass panes for a window that gives light to the chapel’ In 1612, the Count of Niebla’s remains were transferred to the newly built Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad in Sanlúcar de Barrameda. The chapel in the Calahorra Tower ceased to function as such and its long connection with ducal House of Medina Sidonia was soon forgotten.
Anyone visiting the Tower of Homage in the present day will hardly notice this nondescript room which, was used as an Islamic prayer chamber by Moorish Military Commanders and which later became the hallowed mortuary chapel of a heroic figure of the early 15th century –Don Enrique de Guzmán, Count of Niebla. To be continued. This history of Gibraltar’s churches is comprised of extracts from the following series of books, written by the author of these articles and published by the Gibraltar Heritage Trust - ‘Under the Shadow of the Crescent and the Cross’, ‘The Franciscan Monastery of Gibraltar’, ‘Of Monks and Nuns’ and ‘Mirrors of Sanctity’. The photographs and illustrations in these articles are by Victor M. Hermida L.R.P.S. These books are available at the Gibraltar Heritage Trust Shop.
Top: Present day photo of the chapel in the Tower of Homage © Victor M. Hermida L.R.P.S. Left: The chapel in 1567 by Anton Van den Wyngaerde
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