Mission FAQ

Providence Health Care is a Catholic-sponsored health care organization.  Over the years it has changed in response to differing needs, and broad social and political trends.

From the beginning of Providence Health Care, congregations of religious women courageously responded to the needs of the communities they were called to serve. Today, that same call to provide health and hope is being answered by the laity in unique and creative ways, including addressing social determinants of health and providing essential community benefit.

Catholic health care is a critical Church-sponsored expression of the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.

At the heart of Catholic health care is a deep respect for the intrinsic value and dignity of every human being and an unwavering commitment to serve all people, from all background and faiths, especially society’s most vulnerable (Catholic Health Alliance of Canada).

It is not a requirement for Providence employees to be Catholic or people of any faith, however, all employees are expected to understand and support the mission, vision and values. This maintains the integrity of the organization and the governance model of our Catholic-sponsored organization.

Those with different religious or philosophical backgrounds are free to ground the values in their own traditions or worldviews. What is essential is that we demonstrate the values in our words and actions.

Respect for tradition includes participating in practices like reflections before meetings, celebrations of milestones in Providence Health Care’s history (Long Service events are combined with Founders’ Days) and orientation and education programs that explain its heritage.

Respect extends in a particular way to the organizational and ethical principles. One does not need to personally agree with the principles and positions, but must show respect for them, and, consistent with their responsibilities, must follow them.

Providence Health Care is both a ministry of the Catholic Church and operates under an affiliation agreement with Vancouver Coastal health. Our funding comes through VCH, the Ministry of Health and private donors, through the St Paul’s Foundation. The sponsor, Providence Health Care, is canonically an entity of the Church and a civic entity and is accountable to both.  Distinct from other health authorities, Providence must provide assurance that the mission of the organization is understood and is driving all aspects of the ministry at all levels of the organization.  

To support this ministry, Providence collaborates with the other 128 Catholic health care organizations and 88,000 members across Canada through the Catholic Health Alliance of Canada (CHAC). Together we carry on the 400-year legacy of service serving communities across Canada, and serve 5 million+ people.

Our organization operates under an agreement between the Province of British Columbia and the Denominational Health Association. The agreement recognizes the rights of owners of denominational care facilities to own, manage and operate their respective facilities and carry out their respective religious missions. It obligates the owners to meet provincial standards and national accreditation for health care, meet the conditions of any agreements with teaching facilities and plan and deliver health care services in collaboration with other health bodies.

In the context of Christian healthcare organizations, 'ministry' refers to the compassionate and holistic service provided by healthcare professionals and volunteers. It involves delivering medical care, spiritual support, and emotional assistance aligned with Christian principles to promote healing, well-being, and the dignity of individuals. These Christian principles are rooted in the healing mission of Jesus and carried on by religious congregations (groups of sisters) responding to the call to “Go and Do Likewise” (Luke 10:37). Individuals can ground their understanding of these principles in their own traditions and worldviews.  The important thing is that we live them.

In healthcare, a "Catholic sponsor" refers to a religious entity linked to the Catholic Church that oversees and ensures a healthcare institution's adherence to Catholic values, ethical directives, and mission.  To a certain extent, sponsorship could be considered somewhat parallel to a franchise. Sponsorship connotes a responsibility of trust, of attending to something sacred. The root word of ‘sponsorship’ is derived from ‘spondere’ which means making a solemn pledge. 

In the context of Catholic healthcare, "canonical" signifies adherence to the established rules and principles outlined by the Catholic Church, particularly regarding ethical standards, religious directives, and mission integration within healthcare practices and institutions.
 

Catholic Social Teaching sums up the teachings of the Church and the wisdom about building a just society amidst the challenges of modern society. At the heart of Catholic health care is a deep respect for the intrinsic value and dignity of every human being and an unwavering commitment to serving all people, from all backgrounds and faiths – especially people disadvantaged by the system.  With a focus on dignity, respect, and compassion, we advocate for service to individuals at times of their greatest need, and strive to create culturally safe environments of health and healing.

As a Catholic health care organization, Providence Health Care is deeply attentive to the lived experiences of illness, suffering, dying, and death. We recognize that death is a natural part of life, and that there can be profound meaning during the dying process. Our commitment is to walk alongside individuals and families through these sacred moments with compassion, respect, and care.
 
Providence upholds the Catholic belief in the sanctity of life from conception to natural death. We believe that every human life possesses inherent dignity, which is not diminished by frailty, vulnerability, or suffering. Rather, these human conditions call us to respond with even greater tenderness and support. We are committed to creating the conditions that affirm and uphold this dignity, especially at the end of life.

While we do not provide or permit Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) on our premises, we are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life through excellent palliative care, pain and symptom management, and holistic supports that address physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational needs. In the face of uncertainty and decline, there remain opportunities for healing, growth, and connection.

Providence staff do not participate in the provision of MAiD, in accordance with our ethical and religious values. However, we respect the personal beliefs and legal rights of our patients and residents. We do not impede access to the lawful MAiD request process. Instead, we work closely with the Ministry of Health’s MAiD Care Coordination Services to ensure that requests are addressed in a safe, respectful, and timely manner. If a patient is found eligible and wishes to proceed with MAiD, they are discharged from our care and transferred to a non-Providence location. 

Providence is committed to being a place of sanctuary and we believe that death should not be faced in isolation, but within the embrace of a caring community. By approaching death and dying in this way, we humanize end-of-life care and affirm our shared responsibility to accompany one another with love, presence, and dignity.

Today, a key focus of Providence’s social justice work is our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. We are committed to social justice and reconciliation in action in health care. We believe that the shared value of spirituality honored by both Indigenous Peoples and Providence Health Care unifies our efforts for a more just and promising future. 

Our organization has come to recognize the colonial abuses carried out against Indigenous Peoples, and laws, policies, and practices aimed to eliminate Indigenous cultures. These included residential schools, “Indian” hospitals, and the Sixties Scoop in which Indigenous children were forcibly adopted out to non-Indigenous families. The harms from these abuses persist today, including widespread discrimination in the Canadian health system. As a Catholic-sponsored health care organization, we realize that Providence Health Care has both a responsibility and an opportunity to help repair those harms and support reconciliation.

Providence facilities are on the unceded territories of First Nations who have lived on these lands since time immemorial. These Nations had – and continue to have – vibrant cultural and spiritual traditions that nurture robust healing practices. 

In 2022, Providence added reconciliation as a foundational principle to its strategic plan (Mission: Forward). In 2021, Providence Research released a research strategic plan (Discovery: Forward). Each plan included commitments to truth, justice and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. In 2022, Providence announced its first-ever Indigenous Wellness and Reconciliation Action Plan.  To learn more, visit Strategic Plans.

Visible expressions of Catholic identity in the built environment are integral to the fabric of Catholic-sponsored health care and intended to serve as a liberating demonstration of the enduring presence of God’s love and as an assurance of the principles and values of Catholic organizations.  Within a broader commitment to person-centered care, we also need to consider the diverse needs of patients and residents in terms of what promotes or detracts from healing.