Image

In all the media turmoil surrounding COVID-19, you may have missed this…

In all the media turmoil surrounding COVID-19, you may have missed the passing of Dr. Catherine Hamlin, aged ninety-six. Dr. Hamlin’s gynaecological work in treating Ethiopian women suffering from obstetric fistula was so remarkable that even The Sydney Morning Herald referred to her as “the saint of Addis Ababa”. Julie White, Chair of Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation said: “Catherine has lived an incredible life having made an enormous difference to the lives and health of thousands upon thousands of women in Ethiopia. Her passionate commitment to women and maternal health through her trust and belief in fulfilling God’s work with……

In all the media turmoil surrounding COVID-19, you may have missed the passing of Dr. Catherine Hamlin, aged ninety-six. Dr. Hamlin’s gynaecological work in treating Ethiopian women suffering from obstetric fistula was so remarkable that even The Sydney Morning Herald referred to her as “the saint of Addis Ababa”.

Julie White, Chair of Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation said: “Catherine has lived an incredible life having made an enormous difference to the lives and health of thousands upon thousands of women in Ethiopia. Her passionate commitment to women and maternal health through her trust and belief in fulfilling God’s work with love and devotion to others is something that we are all in awe of.”

What causes a medical professional—and her late husband Reg—to devout their lives in helping over 60,000 women whom the world would rather forget? Well, as even the SMH acknowledges, it was quite simply her Christian faith. According to Dr Robert Tong AM, the Chair of Hamlin Fistula Australia:

Dr Catherine Hamlin’s dedication of her medical skills to the relief of the suffering of those least able to help themselves and her firm quiet confidence in God’s overarching blessing and provision is seen in the establishment of the Addis Abba Fistula Hospital. Truly an outstanding example of Christian compassion in action.

Rodney Stark writes in his book The Rise of Christianity (HarperOne, 1996) that how the early church responded to the threat of plague was one of the deciding factors in the spread of Christianity. This was because while the pagans fled, leaving their friends and family behind, the followers of Jesus stayed to take care of them.

The Emperor Julian wrote a letter to the high priest of Galatia in 362 A.D. stating:

The impious Galileans support not only their poor, but ours as well, everyone can see that our people lack aid from us.

Stark persuasively argues that if pagan society had “not been disrupted and demoralised by these catastrophes…Christianity might never have become so dominant a faith”. He gives at least two reasons:

First, according to Stark, “The epidemics swamped the explanatory and comforting capacities of paganism and of Hellenic philosophies. In contrast, Christianity offered a much more satisfactory account of why these terrible times had fallen upon humanity, and it projected a hopeful, even enthusiastic, portrait of the future.”

Second, Stark argues that the “Christian values of love and charity had, from the beginning, been translated into norms of social service and community solidarity. When disasters struck, the Christians were better able to cope, and this resulted in substantially higher rates of survival. This meant that in the aftermath of each epidemic, Christians made up a larger percentage of the population even without new converts.”

Dr. Hamlin was a devout evangelical Anglican originally associated with the Sydney Diocese. And according to Russell Powell, the media advisor for the Sydney Anglicans:

The couple took as their inspiration a scripture verse from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25 verse 40 ‘whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’. The verse is below Dr Reg Hamlin’s photo which hangs in the hospital.

Powell goes on to record how in her bestselling autobiography, The Hospital by the River: a story of hope (Monarch Books, 2004) Hamlin reconciled the question of suffering with the existence of God. She wrote:

I have sometimes been asked if these tragic cases ever test my faith. I can truly say that, if anything, my faith has been strengthened and my soul more firmly anchored to Jesus as the only one to whom we can turn. Jesus never promised us a smooth or trouble-free passage through life. He did promise to be with us to share the sorrow and the pain…

The joy I receive from working for these patients is something for which I thank God every day. This has been my experience and I know this is what Reg felt too. I am sure that Reg and I were led here. At the time, I did not know it, but in the end, this is the place where we were meant to be. It hasn’t really affected my faith. In fact, if anything, it has strengthened my faith to know that we are doing something that is in His will and the wonderful thing is that it is so enjoyable.

As the world faces a period of severe trial involving COVID-19, Dr Hamlin’s words and life example are a timely inspiration to us all. That it is more blessed to give than it is to receive. And that in the midst of suffering there is faith, hope and love.

Special Request:

For nearly eight years, we've highlighted issues ignored by mainstream media and resisted globalist ideologies eroding Western civilization. We've done this joyfully, without paywalls, despite personal costs to our team. Your support has kept us going, but operating costs exceed donations, forcing us to use ads. We’d love to ditch them, so we’re asking for your help. If you value our work, please consider supporting us via Stripe or PayPal. Every bit helps us keep fighting for our kids’ future. Thank you!

What's New?

Use the blue arrows at the bottom to scroll through the latest.
Griffith Roundabout Renamed in Punjabi for Town’s 3.6% Sikh Population

Griffith Roundabout Renamed in Punjabi for Town’s 3.6% Sikh Population

The Sikh community in Griffith makes up just 3.6% of the town's population.
By
by Staff WriterJun 21, 2025
Australian Christians Party Champions Freedom and Responsibility in First Major Address

Australian Christians Party Champions Freedom and Responsibility in First Major Address

“Australia's foundations are solid, even if we have forgotten them. Our legal system, our freedoms, our sense of fairness—they did not just fall from the sky. They were built on a Christian heritage that honours dignity, mercy, compassion and personal responsibility.”
By
by Rod LampardJun 21, 2025
NSW Premier’s Staff Face Arrest for Refusing to Front Inquiry Into Hate Speech Laws

NSW Premier’s Staff Face Arrest for Refusing to Front Inquiry Into Hate Speech Laws

“The inquiry has agreed to issue arrest warrants” just to get Labor staffers to show up, according to NSW Libertarian John Ruddick.
By
by Rod LampardJun 20, 2025
Man with Highest IQ in the World Says Christianity is True: “The World Needs to Catch Up”

Man with Highest IQ in the World Says Christianity is True: “The World Needs to Catch Up”

Kim, who has an IQ score of 276, said it "is a highly rational conclusion."
By
by Staff WriterJun 20, 2025
The Gospel and Scattered Israel Restored

The Gospel and Scattered Israel Restored

"Paul uses Hosea's words, 'I will call them my people, which were not my people,' to demonstrate that the restoration Hosea spoke of is now being fulfilled in the new people of God, comprising both Jews and Gentiles, including the church in Rome."
By
by Ben DavisJun 20, 2025
Ex-CIA Agent: Christianity Targeted Because Christians Are a Threat to Tyranny

Ex-CIA Agent: Christianity Targeted Because Christians Are a Threat to Tyranny

"The Soviet Union made a statement that they could control the entire population, except the Christians. They had to put them in prison and in gulags."
By
by Staff WriterJun 20, 2025
I Went to a Restaurant Yesterday and You Won’t Believe What Happened

I Went to a Restaurant Yesterday and You Won’t Believe What Happened

If we wouldn't tolerate it from a restaurant...
By
by Staff WriterJun 19, 2025
Cruz: “Biblically, We’re Commanded to Support Israel”

Cruz: “Biblically, We’re Commanded to Support Israel”

Is support for modern Israel a biblical mandate based on God’s promises to Abraham?
By
by Ben DavisJun 19, 2025

Image

Support

If you value our work and would like to support us, you can do so by visiting our support page. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Visit our search page.

Copyright © 2025, Caldron Pool

Permissions

Everything published at Caldron Pool is protected by copyright and cannot be used and/or duplicated without prior written permission. Links and excerpts with full attribution are permitted. Published articles represent the opinions of the author and may not reflect the views of all contributors at Caldron Pool.

Caldron Pool does not condone the use of violence, threats, or intimidation for political or religious purposes. We strongly advocate for peaceful, respectful, and free communication and open debate without fear of reprisal or punishment.