ASK FR BITAJU | KAIROS GLOBAL | AUGUST 2023

Author: Fr Bitaju

Q65. If diseases occur under God’s plan, then is taking a cure for a disease against God’s plan?

Your question seems to probe whether diseases are planned and caused by God. The second part of your question seeks to understand whether taking medication or a cure for a disease would be against God’s plan. 

Moral theologians and philosophers have made a distinction between ‘moral evil,’ (sin) and ‘physical evil,’ (suffering). God is infinitely good, he cannot cause moral evil, because it is impossible for him to act against his very essence (CCC 385). Moreover, God’s will for all is to have life, life in abundance (John 10:10). Many theologians today prefer to believe that God allows suffering in order to bring good out of it, but God does not actively cause suffering. 

In the Bible we come across God punishing people with sickness or death for their sinful behaviour (plague in Egypt – Exodus 7:16-17; plague upon Israel – 2 Samuel 24:15). In the New Testament St Paul warned those who received the Eucharist in a state of sin: that is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died (I Corinthians 11:30).  Acts of the Apostles records how Ananias and Sapphira fell down and died after Peter questioned their dishonest behaviour towards the communal collection (Acts 5:9-11). As per the testimony of Scripture, we can’t deny that God never causes sickness or death as a punishment for sinful behaviour. Yet, this does not mean that sickness or death is always a penalty for sinful behaviour. 

The Book of Job clearly states that Job had done nothing wrong to incur the sufferings he endured (Job 1:1). In fact, God chided the friends of Job for wrongly suggesting the afflictions of Job punishments for his sin (Job 42:7). God tells Job that we are not in a position to judge why he allows some evils to occur (Job 38:1-41). Because, as disclosed through the prophet Isaiah, as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). 

Responding to the second part of your question regarding the use of a cure or medicine for a disease, we can affirm that God gave humans intelligence and a brain for a reason. Therefore, we must use them to make medicine and become doctors who can heal the human body. The Catechism of the Catholic Church makes it clear that ‘Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good’ (CCC 2288).  Further, it states that ‘Scientific, medical, or psychological experiments on human individuals or groups can contribute to healing the sick and the advancement of public health’ (CCC 2292).

We can conclude from the above discussion that ‘life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God.’ The very purpose of Jesus coming into this world was ‘to give us life, life in its abundance’. St Irenaeus said ‘The glory of God is man fully alive’. Therefore, safeguarding health using available and appropriate medicine or cure is important. 

YOU CAT 388

How important is health?

Health is an important value, but not an absolute one. We should treat our God-given body gratefully and carefully, but not be obsessed with it. [2288-2291]

Appropriate care for the health of its citizens is one of the fundamental obligations of the State, which must create living conditions in which sufficient food, sanitary housing, and basic medical care are available to all.