Speakers at After Hours event urge young adults to follow their consciences in their workplaces
The B.C. Catholic
A local Catholic pharmacist is not afraid to stand up for her beliefs in her workplace.
Cristina Alarcon, in the field for 25 years, said it can be difficult to bring faith to work.
“Birth control is only the tip of the iceberg, now that euthanasia is coming,” Alarcon told a roomful of young adults at the Vancouver Art Gallery Caf‚ May 30.
She said she’s often had to defend her ethical convictions against dispensing drugs such as birth control pills. In 2000 she found herself publicly debating her professional body over a rebrand of the “morning-after pill.”
“When I saw newspaper headings saying pharmacists are so happy (with the re-brand), I said: ‘No, we’re not!'”
She got a radio interview and shared her concerns about birth control and the conscience rights of pharmacists on air.
“You might think, ‘Wasn’t that going to get you into trouble with the college?’ What it did is put the college on the defensive.”
The professional body got on the radio to explain its position.
“After that, I had the courage to continue to speak out.” For years, Alarcon attended the college’s annual general meetings to attempt to change its code of ethics in favour of freedom of conscience. Now she chairs their ethics committee.
“We’re all called to witness. Witnessing doesn’t mean preaching to patients, but it does mean an openness or willingness to stick your neck out.”
She encouraged young professionals in the audience to be joyful and to do their best in their workplaces. That way, when issues arise, Catholic staffers with good work ethics and different viewpoints are not so easily ignored.
Alarcon was one of three panellists discussing faith and the workplace at the downtown event, hosted by Catholic After Hours and the archdiocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
Christian Dy, the owner of Latitude West Financial, pointed out that trust in God and satisfaction in a job are more important than making big bucks.
“I always encourage people to find a meaningful career,” said the financial adviser.
He shared a story about a job offer he almost accepted that would have paid remarkably well, but would have been very hard on him and his family.
Despite advice from industry professionals and his spiritual adviser, Dy decided to take the job. He went as far as picking up the pen to sign when a senior manager entered the room and said the paperwork was wrong and needed to be redone.
“I took it as a sign,” Dy said. He left that office, took a different job, and did some teaching on the side. Within two years, he realized he was making more money than the other job had offered, and he was happier.
“Wealth, success, status, tend to be at the top of the list. I’m not sure that should be.”
Archdiocesan director of development Brett Powell urged young adults to become good leaders at their workplaces.
“I completely disagree with the notion that there is a type of leadership called servant leadership. In my mind, you are either a servant or you are not a leader,” he said.
To learn what makes a good leader, look to Jesus Christ.
“What do you do when you’re the greatest leader to ever walk the face of the earth and you’ve got a roomful of people and you want to assert your leadership? You get a bucket of water and a few towels, and you walk around the room and you wash their feet.”
He said good leaders also know how to encourage, build trust, apologize, listen, and when to take a break.
“One of the most powerful ways I believe you can serve people with whom you work is to encourage them,” he said. “We are meant to thrive.”
