Saint Lazare Principles

Our day-to-day warfare against misery, poverty, hunger, exclusion and disease is founded upon the following principles.

Health is a state of physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being, and not merely the absence of sickness or infirmity.

Health is a fundamental right for every human being, without distinction of race, religion, political beliefs, or economic or social status.

The health of all peoples is fundamental to peace and security and depends entirely upon cooperation between individuals and states.

For any state, people, or group to succeed in the fight for health, social inclusion and spiritual integrity is beneficial to the whole of mankind.

Inequalities of development – whether in states, peoples, religious groups, or in terms of the fight for health and the control of diseases, especially communicable and contagious diseases – are dangerous.

The fight for the health of children is primordial and demands the capacity to live harmoniously in a changing environment.

The improvement of the health of any people is dependent on their being informed about, and receiving, the benefits of medical, psychological and spiritual knowledge.

Saint Lazare and its partners accept responsibility for guaranteeing the health of any person involved in any of its projects. This can be done only by guaranteeing their physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being.

The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem is committed to undertaking charitable, humanitarian and spiritual activities throughout the world. Every single member is obliged to help his or her neighbour, those in need, the sick, and the ‘rejects’ of society.

The OSLJ must bring hope to those who are swamped by misery, to those dying of hunger, to those who are forgotten and ravaged by disease and to the innocent victims of human barbarity.