Change idea: older citizens as resource, not burden
On 10 April, during the 2nd World Assembly on Ageing, held in Madrid
from the 8-12 April, the Holy Father's Message of 3 April to the
Conference was released by the Vatican Press Office. The Pope noted that
"the elderly must be considered in their dignity as persons, which
does not diminish with the passing years nor with physical and mental
deterioration. It is clear that such a positive view can flourish only
in a culture capable of transcending social stereotypes which judge a
person's worth on the basis of youth, efficiency, physical vigour or
perfect health". The Holy Father emphasized that the elderly are
not a burden, but a valuable resource. "The elderly should never be
considered a burden on society, but a resource which can contribute to
society's well-being. Not only do they show that there are aspects of
life—human, cultural, moral and social values—which cannot be judged
in terms of economic efficiency, but they can also make an effective
contribution in the work-place and in leadership roles. In short, it is
not just a question of doing something for older people, but also of
accepting them in a realistic way as partners in shared projects—at
the level of thought, dialogue and action". The Holy Father also
addressed the problem of the onset of serious illness: "the onset
of chronic illness incapacitates the old person and serves as an
inevitable reminder of life's end. At such times of suffering and
dependence, the elderly not only need to be cared for with scientific
and technical means but also to be looked after with efficiency and
love, so that they do not feel that they are a useless burden or, what
is worse, reach the point of wanting and asking for death". Here is
a translation of the Spanish Message.
Mr President,
I am pleased to extend to you and, through you, to all who are taking
part in the Second World Assembly on Ageing my heartfelt greetings, with
my good wishes for the success of your meeting.
Twenty years after the First World Assembly, held in Vienna in 1982,
your meeting marks a significant point of arrival; but it represents
still more a thrust into the future, given that the ageing of the
world's population is sure to be one of the most important features of
the twenty-first century.
Through the last two decades, the United Nations Organization has
promoted many initiatives aimed at understanding and solving the
problems raised by the growing number of elderly people.
Of these, one of the most positive was the International Year of the
Elderly, celebrated in 1999, which provided an effective opportunity to
remind humanity as a whole of the need to address responsibly the
challenge of building "a society for all ages".
Contributions of the Holy Father on this theme
I declared my participation in this event in a letter addressed to
older people, with whom I feel a close bond not only because of my
pastoral concern, but also because I share their condition. Likewise,
the Pontifical Council for the Laity published a document entitled The
Dignity of the Elderly and Their Mission in the Church and the World. On
that occasion, the Catholic Church renewed the commitment she has always
shown towards older people, by promoting initiatives of her own and
working together with public authorities and civil society.
Change of population with increase of senior citizens
You are gathered now to make a comprehensive evaluation of the
implementation of the 1982 International Plan of Action and to plan
strategies for the future. Coming from all parts of the world, you
testify to the fact that the question of ageing concerns humanity as a
whole and needs to be addressed globally. In particular it needs to be
addressed as part of the complex problem of development.
Everywhere in fact there is taking place a profound change in the
structure of population, a change which requires new social planning.
This involves discussion not only of economic structures but also of the
understanding of the life-cycle and relations between the generations.
It may be said that a society shows itself just to the extent that it
meets the needs of all its members, and the quality of its civilization
is determined by the way in which it protects its weakest members.
Moral principles require respect for the dignity of the person no
matter how old
How can we guarantee the endurance of a society which is ageing, and
safeguard the social security of older persons and their quality of
life?
In responding to this question, we must not be guided chiefly by
economic criteria; rather, we must be inspired by sound moral
principles.
In the first place, the elderly must be considered in their dignity
as persons, which does not diminish with the passing years nor with
physical and mental deterioration. It is clear that such a positive view
can flourish only in a culture capable of transcending social
stereotypes which judge a person's worth on the basis of youth,
efficiency, physical vigour or perfect health. Experience shows that
when this positive view breaks down older people are quickly
marginalized and condemned to a loneliness which is a kind of social
death. And does not the self-esteem of older people depend in large part
on how they are viewed in the family and in society?
In order to be credible and effective, the proclamation of the
dignity of the older person must be formulated in policies designed to
ensure an equal distribution of resources, so that all citizens,
including the elderly, can benefit from them.
This is a difficult task, one which can be accomplished only by
respecting the principle of solidarity, interaction between generations
and mutual help. There must be solidarity of this kind not only within
single nations but also between peoples, through a commitment to address
the deep economic and social inequalities between the north and south of
the planet. Poverty, in fact, can undermine many of the principles of
solidarity, creating victims among the weakest members of the
population, among whom are the elderly.
Senior citizens are a resource due to experience and wisdom
It certainly helps to solve the problems connected with ageing if
older people are effectively made part of society, by providing space
for their experience, knowledge and wisdom. The elderly should never be
considered a burden on society, but a resource which can contribute to
society's well-being. Not only do they show that there are aspects of
life—human, cultural, moral and social values—which cannot be judged
in terms of economic efficiency, but they can also make an effective
contribution in the work-place and in leadership roles. In short, it is
not just a question of doing something for older people, but also of
accepting them in a realistic way as partners in shared projects—at
the level of thought, dialogue and action.
Such policies also need to be complemented by lifelong educational
programmes intended to prepare people for old age, enabling them to
adapt to changes in life-style and work, which occur ever more rapidly.
This will need to be a formation centred not upon "doing" but
above all on "being", with a focus on the values which help
people to make the best use of their life in all its phases, through the
acceptance of both its possibilities and its limitations.
Burdens of old age, chronic illness, need for loving care and
appreciation
While old age is to be looked at in a positive light, and with a view
to exploiting its full potential, its difficulties and the inevitable
end of life should not be overlooked or obscured. It is true, as the
Bible says, that people "will still bear fruit when they are
old" (Ps 92, 15); but it is also true that old age is a season of
life in which individuals are victims of human frailty, and so are
especially vulnerable. Very often, the onset of chronic illness
incapacitates the old person and serves as an inevitable reminder of
life's end. At such times of suffering and dependence, the elderly not
only need to be cared for with scientific and technical means but also
to be looked after with efficiency and love, so that they do not feel
that they are a useless burden or, what is worse, reach the point of
wanting and asking for death.
Our civilization must guarantee to older people care which is rich in
humanity and inspired by true values. In this respect, developments in
palliative medicine, volunteer help, the involvement of families—who
in turn need to be sustained in accepting their responsibilities—and
the humanization of centres for the care of the elderly are all decisive
factors. This represents a vast field, in which the Catholic Church in
particular has offered—and continues to offer—an extensive and
constant contribution.
To address the fact of ageing therefore means taking account of the
human person who, from birth till death, is a gift of God, his image and
imprint. It means to be resolute in ensuring that every moment of human
life is lived in dignity and fullness.
Mr President, upon you and upon all taking part in the Second World
Assembly on Ageing, I invoke the blessings of the God of life.
From the Vatican, 3 April 2002.
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