MATERCARE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

REPORT

VISIT TO WARSAW, POLAND

November 5-10, 2005

Dr. Bogdan Chazan, Chief of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Administrator of Holy Family Hospital in Warsaw, was a participant in the 2004 MaterCare international workshop in Rome.  As a result, he was very interested in developing a similar workshop for post-communist countries and thus organized Dr. Walley’s trip to Warsaw.

In discussions with Mr. Marek Jurek, President and newly appointed Speaker of the Parliament of Poland and devout Catholic, it was learned that all political parties in Poland are pro-life, with parties differing with respect to the details.  Mr. Jurek supported the idea of providing international workshops for post-communist countries and is keen that MCI Poland be established.  As well, H.E. Cardinal Glemp, Primate of Poland and Archbishop of Warsaw, was very welcoming and very supportive.  Both the Speaker and the Cardinal agreed that Poland could play an important role in the European Union, in particular, in presenting the other side to the secular position taken by the long time members and in the fight for the protection of human life in Europe politically, socially and professionally.  Dr. Walley also met with Mrs. Barbara Giertych, wife of the leader of the League of Polish Families Party (LPR).  The leadership of this party is quite young, is politically very right wing and represents in particular rural families.  Although not large, it supports the government agenda including the introduction of a bill to outlaw abortion in Poland.  As suggested by Cardinal Glemp, a meeting was held with Archbishop Majdanski, a man regarded as a saint in Poland.  A close friend of Pope John Paul II, he had spent five years in Dakar concentration camp, founded a secular institute of priests, sisters and lay people and established an academic institution for family and marriage.  MaterCare was assured of the support of this institute in its endeavours in Poland. 

A meeting was held with a lady operating a pregnancy centre who came with a member of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Warsaw Police investigating an ob/gyn known to use misoprostol to induce abortions.  The police were seeking expert opinion as to the legitimacy of misoprostol in ob/gyn practice.  Dr. Walley explained its positive use for the medical induction of labour where indicated to save the baby’s life and also for the emergency treatment of post-partum haemorrhage.  The manufacturer of misoprostol does not support its use in obstetrical practice but Dr. Walley and Dr. Chazan clarified that it is neither inherently illegal nor malpractice to use a drug when medically known to have a good use.  The police departed with greater knowledge of the issues involved from both moral and medical standpoints. 

A priority for the trip was to iron out some of the details of the workshop.  It was decided to hold it in Warsaw October 8 – 10, 2007 with invitees from Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Hungry, Czech Republic, Slovakia etc.  Possible sites for the workshop were visited including a Church retreat centre and a College of Economics; another suggestion was the use of the Parliament for the opening with meetings in a nearby hotel nearby or a larger centre. 

In addition, meetings were held with Mrs Maria Srodon, President of “Large Families of Poland”, and Mrs Maria Halska, a retired professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, and two members of the “PRO” Foundation, the national pro-life organisation.  Maria Srodon agreed to act as the Executive Coordinator for the international workshop as well as for the establishment of MaterCare in Poland, working closely with Dr. Chazan.  She will undertake translation, lobbying, networking, etc., throughout the country.  Together, they will incorporate, seek charitable status, find office space and access a printer.  MaterCare International has already a very committed group in Poland. 

Unfortunately, the anti-life policy still dominates the practice of ob/gyn, professional associations and university departments.  Many pro-life obstetricians have suffered much at the hands of their profession, but have come through it exceptionally well.  Holding a MaterCare conference in Poland will gain considerable public and media attention for the pro-life cause, coming from an international specialist agency and make a major contribution particularly if it can attract registrants from other countries of Northern/Central Europe.