Katherine Pettus
@kpettus.bsky.social
Political theorist, Benedictine oblate, and advocate for global palliative care and essential medicines with the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care. I live in Chinchon, Spain. All tweets are my own.
Palliative lions
This week's Advent visions of the Kingdom, where lions lie down with lambs and eat straw, call to mind our vision of universal palliative care that supports all people suffering with serious illnesses, disabilities, and challenging end of life journeys. The fact that prophets such…
This week's Advent visions of the Kingdom, where lions lie down with lambs and eat straw, call to mind our vision of universal palliative care that supports all people suffering with serious illnesses, disabilities, and challenging end of life journeys. The fact that prophets such…
Palliative lions
This week's Advent visions of the Kingdom, where lions lie down with lambs and eat straw, call to mind our vision of universal palliative care that supports all people suffering with serious illnesses, disabilities, and challenging end of life journeys. The fact that prophets such as Isaiah could envision and proclaim such a world, where practices of care for the meekest and most vulnerable among us are the norm rather than the exception as they are now, gestures to the validity of that world.
katherinepettusconsulting.wordpress.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Palliative lions
This week's Advent visions of the Kingdom, where lions lie down with lambs and eat straw, call to mind our vision of universal palliative care that supports all people suffering with serious illnesses, disabilities, and challenging end of life journeys. The fact that prophets such…
This week's Advent visions of the Kingdom, where lions lie down with lambs and eat straw, call to mind our vision of universal palliative care that supports all people suffering with serious illnesses, disabilities, and challenging end of life journeys. The fact that prophets such…
Calling for a pall-literacy campaign on World Day of the Poor
Pope Leo’s Message on 9th World Day of the Poor claimed that “the poor are not recipients of our pastoral care, but creative subjects who challenge us to find novel ways of living out the Gospel today. In the face of new forms of…
Pope Leo’s Message on 9th World Day of the Poor claimed that “the poor are not recipients of our pastoral care, but creative subjects who challenge us to find novel ways of living out the Gospel today. In the face of new forms of…
Calling for a pall-literacy campaign on World Day of the Poor
Pope Leo’s Message on 9th World Day of the Poor claimed that “the poor are not recipients of our pastoral care, but creative subjects who challenge us to find novel ways of living out the Gospel today. In the face of new forms of impoverishment, we can risk becoming hardened and resigned.” The 86 percent of the world’s people who lack palliative care…
katherinepettusconsulting.wordpress.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Calling for a pall-literacy campaign on World Day of the Poor
Pope Leo’s Message on 9th World Day of the Poor claimed that “the poor are not recipients of our pastoral care, but creative subjects who challenge us to find novel ways of living out the Gospel today. In the face of new forms of…
Pope Leo’s Message on 9th World Day of the Poor claimed that “the poor are not recipients of our pastoral care, but creative subjects who challenge us to find novel ways of living out the Gospel today. In the face of new forms of…
A Prison Hospice Program for the Living and the Dying www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
A Prison Hospice Program for the Living and the Dying
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:26 PM
A Prison Hospice Program for the Living and the Dying www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
Albanian nurse leader Irena Laska, IAHPC delegate to #RC75 @WHO Europe, delivers our statement on #palliativecare inclusion in 2nd European Programme of Work today! Read it here:https://iahpc.org/uploads/2025/10/IAHPC-Statement-on-palliative-care-re-RC75-European-Program-of-Work.pdf
October 29, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Albanian nurse leader Irena Laska, IAHPC delegate to #RC75 @WHO Europe, delivers our statement on #palliativecare inclusion in 2nd European Programme of Work today! Read it here:https://iahpc.org/uploads/2025/10/IAHPC-Statement-on-palliative-care-re-RC75-European-Program-of-Work.pdf
What does meaningful support look like for caregivers of people living with dementia? Join us next Thursday October 30th at 2pm CET for a free webinar hosted by the @IAHPC to explore how WHO's iSupport prorgramme can support caregivers throughout their care journey.
Register: lnkd.in/eFJYtPXB
Register: lnkd.in/eFJYtPXB
October 23, 2025 at 6:23 PM
What does meaningful support look like for caregivers of people living with dementia? Join us next Thursday October 30th at 2pm CET for a free webinar hosted by the @IAHPC to explore how WHO's iSupport prorgramme can support caregivers throughout their care journey.
Register: lnkd.in/eFJYtPXB
Register: lnkd.in/eFJYtPXB
October 14, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Dr Yukio Nakatani @who.int opening session of CND Thematic Session calls for "safe access to controlled medicines limited in many parts of the world." Says drug control must be rooted in public health & access to controlled meds shld be integrated into national policies supported by whole of govt!
September 30, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Dr Yukio Nakatani @who.int opening session of CND Thematic Session calls for "safe access to controlled medicines limited in many parts of the world." Says drug control must be rooted in public health & access to controlled meds shld be integrated into national policies supported by whole of govt!
INCB President Professor Atasoy calls out persistent disparities in availability of controlled medicines due to inaccurate estimates of medical needs by member states.Promotes Learning Programme to improve availability for #palliativecare #painrelief #SUD treatment. CND Thematic Session 2025.
September 30, 2025 at 1:09 PM
INCB President Professor Atasoy calls out persistent disparities in availability of controlled medicines due to inaccurate estimates of medical needs by member states.Promotes Learning Programme to improve availability for #palliativecare #painrelief #SUD treatment. CND Thematic Session 2025.
Lazarus and the rich man: why palliative care advocacy is so challenging!
Today's gospel about Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) pinpoints why palliative care advocacy is so challenging. The rich man, oblivious to Lazarus languishing on his doorstep, didn’t experience compassion until he…
Today's gospel about Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) pinpoints why palliative care advocacy is so challenging. The rich man, oblivious to Lazarus languishing on his doorstep, didn’t experience compassion until he…
Lazarus and the rich man: why palliative care advocacy is so challenging!
Today's gospel about Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) pinpoints why palliative care advocacy is so challenging. The rich man, oblivious to Lazarus languishing on his doorstep, didn’t experience compassion until he himself suffered the torments of hell after death. Only then did he notice Lazarus and beg him to “dip the tip of his finger in water” to cool his tongue.
katherinepettusconsulting.wordpress.com
September 28, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Lazarus and the rich man: why palliative care advocacy is so challenging!
Today's gospel about Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) pinpoints why palliative care advocacy is so challenging. The rich man, oblivious to Lazarus languishing on his doorstep, didn’t experience compassion until he…
Today's gospel about Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) pinpoints why palliative care advocacy is so challenging. The rich man, oblivious to Lazarus languishing on his doorstep, didn’t experience compassion until he…
“A quiet revolution in care-giving is emerging – rooted in compassion, driven by dignity. In a place often associated with suffering, this initiative is sowing seeds of healing, presence, and human connection. www.thetablet.co.uk/features/bor...
September 13, 2025 at 4:00 PM
“A quiet revolution in care-giving is emerging – rooted in compassion, driven by dignity. In a place often associated with suffering, this initiative is sowing seeds of healing, presence, and human connection. www.thetablet.co.uk/features/bor...
Important event at the Commission on Narcotic Drugs October 3. Register for online participation
September 11, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Important event at the Commission on Narcotic Drugs October 3. Register for online participation
“Loneliness also imperils the health of the body politic…in The Origins of Totalitarianism, Hannah Arendt characterizes loneliness as “the experience of not belonging to the world at all.” …loneliness leaves us vulnerable to totalitarian power www.commonwealmagazine.org/virtues-soli...
The Virtues of Solitude
Curing loneliness requires more than just socialization. It also requires cultivating spiritually fulfilling solitude.
www.commonwealmagazine.org
September 5, 2025 at 2:44 PM
“Loneliness also imperils the health of the body politic…in The Origins of Totalitarianism, Hannah Arendt characterizes loneliness as “the experience of not belonging to the world at all.” …loneliness leaves us vulnerable to totalitarian power www.commonwealmagazine.org/virtues-soli...
www.americamagazine.org/short-take/2... walking the talk.
Why San Diego’s Catholic leaders are standing with migrants in court—against impossible odds
Some 50 people of faith, including the three Catholic bishops of San Diego, have signed up to stand with our immigrant brothers and sisters.
www.americamagazine.org
August 27, 2025 at 5:53 AM
www.americamagazine.org/short-take/2... walking the talk.
Feast of St Camillus de Lellis founder of “The Clerks Regular of Good Death, Ministers to the Sick,” commonly known as the Camillians. Patron saint of the sick, nurses & hospice workers, Revolutionized 16th century nursing, founded the first Red Cross, sent nurses to battleflields in Hungary!
July 18, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Feast of St Camillus de Lellis founder of “The Clerks Regular of Good Death, Ministers to the Sick,” commonly known as the Camillians. Patron saint of the sick, nurses & hospice workers, Revolutionized 16th century nursing, founded the first Red Cross, sent nurses to battleflields in Hungary!
North America & Western and HIC's have high levels of opioid availability 4 medical use >10,000 S-DDDs per million inhabitants in 2023. Average 1,329 SDDDs per million inhabitants in SE Europe; low of 7.1 S-DDDs per million inhabitants in West & Central Africa in 2023. www.unodc.org/documents/da...
July 14, 2025 at 4:42 PM
North America & Western and HIC's have high levels of opioid availability 4 medical use >10,000 S-DDDs per million inhabitants in 2023. Average 1,329 SDDDs per million inhabitants in SE Europe; low of 7.1 S-DDDs per million inhabitants in West & Central Africa in 2023. www.unodc.org/documents/da...
"availability of pharmaceutical opioids for pain management & palliative care continues to vary considerably between LMICs & HICs. Availability in low- and middle-income countries has been increasing, but the gap between them and high-income countries remains massive.” www.unodc.org/documents/da...
July 14, 2025 at 4:25 PM
"availability of pharmaceutical opioids for pain management & palliative care continues to vary considerably between LMICs & HICs. Availability in low- and middle-income countries has been increasing, but the gap between them and high-income countries remains massive.” www.unodc.org/documents/da...
“Policymakers adhere to a narrative that conflicts with the data.” CDC data reveals no connection between amount of opioids prescribed and rates of nonmedical use or addiction. People who misuse opioids aren't the same as patients who rely on them for real pain. reason.com/2025/07/01/t...
The real opioid crisis isn’t prescriptions—it’s prohibition
West Virginia's overdose data prove it: Officials misunderstood the problem, and patients paid the price.
reason.com
July 2, 2025 at 12:04 PM
“Policymakers adhere to a narrative that conflicts with the data.” CDC data reveals no connection between amount of opioids prescribed and rates of nonmedical use or addiction. People who misuse opioids aren't the same as patients who rely on them for real pain. reason.com/2025/07/01/t...
Reposted by Katherine Pettus
Hungary banned Pride marches. This is the response ✊🏳️🌈
Absolutely incredible turnout for Budapest Pride! So proud of all the organizers, including some old friends, who estimate hundreds of thousands— major embarrassment to Orban
June 28, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Hungary banned Pride marches. This is the response ✊🏳️🌈
“No person of good will can remain silent,”Archbishop Broglio, bishop’s conference president, said in an opening reflection that was made public for churches, to reach immigrant families.Count on the commitment of all of us to stand with you in this challenging hour.” www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/u...
Catholic Bishops Try to Rally Opposition to Trump’s Immigration Agenda
www.nytimes.com
June 29, 2025 at 11:11 AM
“No person of good will can remain silent,”Archbishop Broglio, bishop’s conference president, said in an opening reflection that was made public for churches, to reach immigrant families.Count on the commitment of all of us to stand with you in this challenging hour.” www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/u...
“In the United States during World War II,the murder of the Jews of Europe demonstrated the extent of our capacity to look away when faced with a demanding responsibility.In the end,the Allies won one war—but chose not to oppose the Nazis war against the Jews. www.americamagazine.org/politics-soc...
A survivor of Nazi-occupied France asks: Who will protect Trump’s migrant targets?
My Jewish family was sheltered in a Christian village in Nazi-occupied France. Now I am a naturalized American citizen, but can I count on similar courage and good will from my neighbors?
www.americamagazine.org
June 13, 2025 at 9:19 PM
“In the United States during World War II,the murder of the Jews of Europe demonstrated the extent of our capacity to look away when faced with a demanding responsibility.In the end,the Allies won one war—but chose not to oppose the Nazis war against the Jews. www.americamagazine.org/politics-soc...
Reposted by Katherine Pettus
We agree... though what about palliative care? 🤔
People *also* rightly expect a comfortable, dignified death. But right now, too many are dying in avoidable pain, in poverty and alone - because services are underfunded & overstretched.
❗ This has to change. #SpendingReview
People *also* rightly expect a comfortable, dignified death. But right now, too many are dying in avoidable pain, in poverty and alone - because services are underfunded & overstretched.
❗ This has to change. #SpendingReview
June 11, 2025 at 4:16 PM
We agree... though what about palliative care? 🤔
People *also* rightly expect a comfortable, dignified death. But right now, too many are dying in avoidable pain, in poverty and alone - because services are underfunded & overstretched.
❗ This has to change. #SpendingReview
People *also* rightly expect a comfortable, dignified death. But right now, too many are dying in avoidable pain, in poverty and alone - because services are underfunded & overstretched.
❗ This has to change. #SpendingReview
Excellent analysis of an issue that has serious consequences for policy and practice. www.bmj.com/content/389/...
Assisted dying is an existential choice, not a treatment
The question of whether assisted dying is a treatment is of legal, philosophical, and clinical importance, write Gareth S Owen , Alex Ruck Keene , and Katherine Sleeman
Assisted dying is back in UK ...
www.bmj.com
June 10, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Excellent analysis of an issue that has serious consequences for policy and practice. www.bmj.com/content/389/...
Reposted by Katherine Pettus
111,000 people die in poverty each year in the UK.
This is unacceptable. Early access to the state pension for people with a terminal illness will give people the financial security they need.
It’s good to see Communities Minister Gordon Lyons back our call. 👏
This is unacceptable. Early access to the state pension for people with a terminal illness will give people the financial security they need.
It’s good to see Communities Minister Gordon Lyons back our call. 👏
June 9, 2025 at 1:29 PM
111,000 people die in poverty each year in the UK.
This is unacceptable. Early access to the state pension for people with a terminal illness will give people the financial security they need.
It’s good to see Communities Minister Gordon Lyons back our call. 👏
This is unacceptable. Early access to the state pension for people with a terminal illness will give people the financial security they need.
It’s good to see Communities Minister Gordon Lyons back our call. 👏
Join me at San Diego: No Kings Rally & March action.womensmarch.com/events/san-d...
San Diego: No Kings Rally & March
On June 14, Donald Trump will get the military parade he has long wanted, timed to coincide with his birthday, Flag Day, and the 250th Anniversary of the Army. Our flag, our troops, and our tax dollar...
action.womensmarch.com
June 8, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Join me at San Diego: No Kings Rally & March action.womensmarch.com/events/san-d...