“Older People’s Problems Are The Problems Of Us All” (PCL)

The Pontifical Council for the Laity (PCL) highlights only four problems but they seemingly include all the rest. They are under the headings of Marginalization, Assistance, Education and Employment, and Participation.

PCL which speaks for the Pope and the entire Church observes that “the most painful dimension of this marginalization … is the lack of human relations. Older people suffer not only by being deprived of human contact, but also from abandonment, loneliness and isolation. And as their interpersonal and social contact are diminished, so their lives are correspondingly impoverished; they are deprived of the intellectual and cultural stimulus and enrichment they need. Older people experience a sense of impotence at being unable to change their own situation, due to their inability to participate in decision-making processes that concern them both as persons and citizens. The net result is that they lose any sense of belonging to the community of which they are members.”

This is a very insightful and wise observation based on a remarkable knowledge and experience by PCL of diverse cultures and traditions the world over. To be continued.