Diocesan Pastoral de Salud
The Pastoral de Salud is one of the diocesan committees appointed by the Bishop. Michael has been either a member or the convener for the Pastoral de Salud most years since its inception about 2004.
Starting after the 2009 Diocesan Convention, the Pastoral de Salud has embarked on a new process. It is partnering with Clinica Esperanza y Caridad to develop programs to address domestic violence and alcohol misuse on a diocesan level.
The William Cooper Procter Fund and Episcopal Relief and Development are providing funding.
Alcohol
The Pan-American Health Orgniazation identifies alcohol misuse as the major modifiable risk factor accounting for the most disability adjusted life years lost in Latin America. In other words, a big problem from direct alcohol effects on health, on auto accidents, on violence, and on HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
The alcohol initiative includes regional conferences for Episcopal clergy and lay leaders during 2010 regarding alcohol use, its health effects, how to recognize alcohol-related problems or dangers, and pastoral interventions that are available.
In addition, surveys and focus groups of young people will help direct the development of a school curriculum about alcohol for use in the Episcopal School system here. A student survey tool has been validated and field tested. Student surveys will begin in early 2010.
Violence
Using the communty health promoter network around San Pedro de Macorís, methods for addressing violence at the community level will be explored and evaluated. It is the hope that effective methods can then be communicated to communities in which the Episcopal Church has a presence.