Pope Francis: Elderly have a role
in God’s saving plan
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| Audience with participants in the International Conference on pastoral care of the elderly (Vatican Media) |
Participants at a conference on the pastoral care of the
elderly were received in audience by Pope Francis on Friday. In his address,
the Holy Father invited the Church to “change her pastoral attitudes in order
to respond to the presence of so many elderly people in families and
communities”.
By Christopher Wells
At an audience for participants in a conference on pastoral
care of the elderly, Pope Francis said old-age is “a precious treasure that
takes shape in the journey of every man and woman’s life, whatever their
origins, background, or economic or social conditions.” He said, “Life is a
gift, and when it is long it is a privilege, for oneself and for others.
Always.” He called on the Church to care for the elderly, going to them with “a
smile on your face and the Gospel in your hands”.
He noted that the world is facing a significant demographic
change, with fewer young people and a large increase in the number of elderly.
He said that issues facing the elderly – including social disorientation, and
societal attitudes of indifference and rejection, are a call to the Church and
to society “to serious reflection in order to learn to grasp and appreciate the
value of old age”.
The richness of people
Referring to the theme of the conference, Pope Francis said
“the richness of many years of life… is the richness of people, of every single
person who has many years of life experience and history behind them”.
The Pope welcomed the conference, and asked that it not
remain “an isolated initiative”, but might be the start “of a journey of
pastoral deepening and discernment”. “We need to change our pastoral habits in
order to respond to the presence of so many older people in our families and
communities”, he said.
Old age is a blessing
He reminded us that, in the Bible “longevity is a blessing”,
and that the elderly, too, have a place in God’s saving plan. “Aware of the
irreplaceable role of the elderly”, the Pope said, “the Church becomes a place
where generations are called to share God’s loving plan, in a relationship of a
mutual exchange of the gifts of the Holy Spirit”. Both old and young, he said,
are “the future of the Church”.
In particular, Pope Francis said that grandparents are “the
indispensable link in educating children and young people in the faith”. The
elderly, he insisted, should be not only the objects of the Church’s care, but
also “actors in a pastoral evangelizing ministry, privileged witnesses of God’s
faithful love”.
Do not be afraid!
Pope Francis concluded his address with words of
encouragement, saying, “Do not be afraid. Take initiatives. Help your Bishops
and Dioceses to promote pastoral service to and with the elderly. Do not be
discouraged… Go forward!”
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