CNA Staff, Jul 16, 2020 / 15:01 pm
Canada's bishops issued a pastoral letter Tuesday expressing concern for senior citizens who receive inadequate institutional care, a situation that has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
"They Still Bring Forth Fruit in Old Age: A Lesson on Caring in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic", which bears the date July 1, was released by the executive committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops July 14.
In the letter, the bishops recognized the difficulties faced by many elderly persons during the pandemic, especially isolation and neglect. However, they said this pandemic has also provided a valuable lesson on human dignity.
"The pandemic can, in many ways and for many people, serve as an important reminder of the inherent dignity of human life, its meaning and what should be most important in life. No matter the degree of isolation and privation each of us may have experienced so far in this crisis, there are lessons to be learned about the need for courage, determination, hope and steadfastness," they said.