VATICAN - 22nd International Conference promoted by the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care on the theme: " Pastoral Care for Elderly Sick People"

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “Today in the world there are 390 million over the age of 65 and the number is expected to rise to 800 million by the years 2025. Five hundred million live in countries where life expectancy is over 60 years, and 50 million live in countries where life expectancy is no higher than 45 years. In Sierra Leone, in Africa, for example, people expect to live for 39 years”. These facts were given by Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragán, president of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care as he introduced the International Conference promoted by the Council which opens today 15 November and will continue until Saturday 17 November in the new Synod Hall in the Vatican, on the theme “Pastoral Care for Elderly Sick People”.
"Chronic illnesses are more common among elderly people; especially after 70-75 people tend to suffer from tumours and heart disease; eighty percent of the deaths of people over 65 are caused by difficulties in blood circulation. In these people one notes a loss of hearing, sight and mental functions. Some trace these diseases to three main causes: sedentary life, tabagism and inadequate diet. In view of these and other facts - said Cardinal Barragán -, we asked ourselves what is the best way to assist these people, given the great importance of life in its final stages?”
This is the question which 30 scientists from 20 nations, experts in geriatrics, biomedicine, history, philosophy, theology and pastoral care will strive to answer. The three day programme will include reflection on how the Church has undertaken this pastoral through the centuries, looking at the example of some of the Saints, discussion on pertinent scientific information, the demographic situation, principal diseases, old and new in the context of globalisation, the origins of these diseases at different levels. The participants will then consider the Church's response to this situation. Before practical conclusions are reached, there will be interreligious dialogue on this field of Pastoral Care, with the points of view of Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, not forgetting to consider present-day post modern culture.
“Our International Conference - said Cardinal Barragán - is most significant: to offer pastoral care to the sick at this stage of life means to open the door for them in the name of the Lord, that He may lead them to the total fullness of health, eternal health ”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 15/11/2007, righe 30, parole 420)