Resources
Our resource page provides access to important material, discussions, ethical perspectives, and legislative submissions on various medical related subject matters.
We believe that they will support healthcare professionals, policymakers, and individuals seeking a deeper understanding of the ethical, legal, and medical considerations surrounding such subject matters.
By engaging with these materials, you can gain deeper understanding and awareness, explore diverse viewpoints, and contribute back to the community in your various capacities.
Resources on Ethics
Are you looking for resources or articles on specific ethical matters that relate to Christian practice in medicine and dentistry? Read on…
CMDFA has a long history of inviting respectful dialogue on matters of ethical practice, seeking to equip the Christian practitioner to navigate the changing world in which we live and work. This commitment has been most evident in the publication of Luke’s Journal, and features prominently in CMDFA’s conferences, events and meetings. In recognition of the complexity of medical and dental ethics, and out of respect for the diverse views of our membership, CMDFA has rarely sought to define formal ‘position statements’.
The approach has more usually been to support members to develop their own reasoned thinking in accordance with Biblical principles. Luke’s Journal, for example, will often present a breadth of views (consistent with Christian thought) on an ethical subject and invite the reader to form his or her own view according to conscience.
In the same spirit, the links below are not intended to offer CMDFA’s defined ‘position’ but rather present a library of resources that aid the Christian practitioner (or student) in their pursuit of a deeper understanding. We invite you to prayerfully explore these links and resources under the guidance of the Holy Spirit’s leading.
Libraries of Resources for Christian Medical and Dental Ethics
These pages have their own contents pages and links, covering a vast array of ethical subjects.
Luke’s Journal is published three times a year by CMDFA. It aims to encourage Christian health professionals to integrate faith into everyday healthcare work, espousing theological underpinnings and practical tips. Not all of the themes pertain directly to ethics, but specific issues have been published on topics such as Termination of Pregnancy and Dying and Palliative Care. Previous issues are freely available online, including Timeless Articles which articulate Christian principles in healthcare that transcend recent shifts in popular attitudes or practice. The ‘search’ function (scroll down, on the right-hand side) works effectively to identify articles on specific ethical topics.
The CMDA our American counterpart, and provides a comprehensive collection of resources, including articles, electronic publications, court briefs, and news releases, organized by publication type. Their archives span from recent publications to some of the earliest digital content still relevant today. Additionally, CMDA offers perspectives and opinions on various issues and news topics through their blog, “The Point,” focusing on breaking news stories in bioethics and healthcare. Their position statements are strong, clear and uncompromising, offering a firm footing on difficult ethical subjects.
The CMF UK offers a range of resources on Christian medical ethics, including articles and publications that address ethical conundrums faced by Christians in the medical field. They provide insights into topics like euthanasia, prenatal selection, and genetic experimentation from a Christian perspective. You might like to search their ‘CMF Files’, read past editions of their publications such as Nucleus and Triple Helix, or view their government submissions and press releases on ethical subjects.
Ethicentre is an Australian entity directed by prominent Christian bioethicist Dr Megan Best. Megan has been a long-term contributor to CMDFA and is an outstanding resource to the Australian Christian community. Ethicentre’s website features free online articles on a range of bioethical subjects such as Beginning of Life, End of Life and Sexuality and Gender.
Ethicentre seeks to provide reliable information about Christian bioethics within a Biblical framework, aiming to help Christians and churches engage with bioethics.
This publication (from 2001, but soon to be updated and revised) offers a thoughtful and accessible set of Christian principles that underpin ethical practice in the Australian context. It is widely used among Catholic hospitals but is readily applicable to other Christian denominational settings. The online version is open-access and easily navigated, with a Contents Page on page V.
Published by Oxford University Press, this peer-reviewed journal explores the commitments of Christian faiths concerning the meaning of human life, sexuality, suffering, illness, and death within the context of medicine and healthcare. It offers
scholarly articles that delve into the intersection of theology and medical ethics. Some of their articles are open-access while others require paid subscription.
As the official journal of the Catholic Medical Association, The Linacre Quarterly focuses on the relationship between medicine and spirituality, particularly medical ethics. Established in 1932, it provides peer-reviewed academic articles that examine ethical issues from a Catholic perspective. Some of their articles are open-access while others require paid subscription.
Published by the National Catholic Bioethics Center, NCBQ is a peer-reviewed journal that examines ethical, philosophical, and theological questions arising from modern medicine and technology. It aims to foster inquiry on moral issues from a Catholic viewpoint. These articles are accessible by paid subscription.
- Letter to Members re Abortion Bill (PDF)
- Letter to Legislative Council - Ern Crocker (PDF)
- Letter to Legislative Assembly - 3rd August 2019 (PDF)
- Letter to Legislative Council - 3rd August 2019 (PDF)
- Submission from CMDFA -12/8/2019 to Standing Commission on Social Issues Parliament of NSW (PDF)
- Transcript Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019 - 14th August 2019 (PDF)