Older people, though ill, "have always been the protagonists in the Church, still are”. Today we are living longer and therefore "there are a growing number of people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases, often accompanied by a deterioration of cognitive abilities ," that engages both the world of health care andassistance , even on the religious plane .

Vatican City ( AsiaNews) - "Human life always preserves its value in the eyes of God, beyond any discriminating vision". Today we are living longer and therefore "a growing number of people suffer neurodegenerative diseases often accompanied by a deterioration of cognitive abilities" that engages both the world of health care and assistance , even on the religious plane .

The meeting with the participants at the 28th International Conference of the Pontifical Council for health care professionals (for Pastoral Health Care) on the theme : "The Church at the service of the elderly and sick : the care of people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases" today gave Pope Francis the opportunity to state some principles on aid to the ill and elderly.

In the first place , the Pope said that " older people have always been the protagonists in the Church, and still are . And today more than ever, the Church needs to set an example to the whole society of the fact that they, in spite of the inevitable "infirmities"- which are sometimes serious - they are always important , indeed indispensable. They carry with them the memory and wisdom of life, to transmit it to others, and participate fully in the Church's mission . "

Secondly , the fact that an increasing number of people suffer neurodegenerative diseases regards "the world of healthcare in terms of health and research and  assistance and care in social care facilities , as well as in the family , which remains the privileged place of warmth and closeness . "

"It 's important to support and aid appropriate services which respect the dignity , identity and the needs of the patient , but also of those involved in caring for the patient, family members and professionals . This is only possible in a context of a mutually respectful relationship. Lived in this way, that the care becomes a precious experience both professionally and humanly, otherwise , it becomes much more similar to the simple and cold physical protection . "

" It is necessary , therefore , to engage an assistance which , alongside the traditional biomedical model , is an enriched space of dignity and freedom , far from the closures and silences, that too often surround people in the field of healthcare. In this perspective, I would like to emphasize the importance of the religious and spiritual dimension . Indeed, this is a dimension that remains viable even when cognitive abilities are reduced or lost. This means implementing a particular pastoral approach to accompany the religious life of older people with serious degenerative diseases of diverse forms and content , however, so that their minds and their hearts do not interrupt their dialogue and relationship with God . "

Pope Francis wished to conclude his speech with a "greeting to the elderly ": " Dear friends , you are not only recipients of the Gospel message, but you are always announcers of that Gospel by virtue of your Baptism. Everyday you can live as witnesses of the Lord , in your families , in parishes and in other environments by making known Christ and his Gospel , especially to young people. I entrust you all to the protection of the Virgin Mary , and I thank you for your prayers. "

 

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