Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - At the end of the 22nd International Conference organised by the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, this time on the theme “Pastoral Care for Elderly Sick People”, the president of the Council, Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragàn commented the meeting held in the Vatican.
“Realty, Light, Action” were the three main pivots of the Conference. “Starting from reality we mentioned the development of pastoral care for elderly sick people- said Cardinal Barragàn -. We then took a look at the present day demographic situation and the main illnesses which afflict elderly patients in the epoch of globalisation. Then we discussed the origin of these afflictions at various levels, namely: personal, technological scientific, politico-social and ecological.”
With regard to the second aspect, Light, the President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care underlined “the special place given in the Old Testament to “old age”, the expression of the respect due to the old people, as indicated in the fourth of God's commandments; old age, like illnesses, lead us to look forward to the time of God's mercy and clemency.”
“Spiritual assistance, the sacraments and prayer, for and with elderly sick people is better understood as a bodily, incarnated embrace of Christ's love, precisely when personal identity grows weaker: this leads to happiness and true wisdom, - said Cardinal Barragàn referring to the third point of the conference. “A visit to the sick is an act of mercy, a witness to brotherly charity a sharing in God's love in effective solidarity to overcome solitude; it fulfils the three ministries of the word, sanctification and communion, it helps the elderly keep the faith. The visitor represents the whole Christian community as it smiles and prayers for the sick person.”
(AP) (22/11/2007 Agenzia Fides; Righe:29; Parole:322)
