CCCB Message – They Still Bring Forth Fruit in Old Age: A Lesson on Caring in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic

In response to the serious concerns about the difficulties that the elderly and marginalized face in Canada during the pandemic, the members of the Executive Committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) released yesterday the attached Message (in English and French) entitled They Still Bring Forth Fruit in Old Age: A Lesson on Caring in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic / Vieillissant, il fructifie encore : Prendre soin des autres: une leçon à apprendre au milieu de la pandémie de la COVID-19.  In the timely Message, the Bishops of Canada acknowledge the most serious challenges experienced by many vulnerable persons across the country, with particular concerns raised for the elderly in our communities who frequently receive inadequate institutional care for their mental and physical health, as well as for their emotional and spiritual needs.

“What emerged at the beginning of the pandemic were the conditions in long-term care facilities and similar institutions that were particularly disturbing, as government and healthcare authorities began to acknowledge. […] That many elderly endured weeks practically in solitude to avoid contracting the virus even from caregivers, and that many died without either the presence of family members or the comfort and strength of the Church’s Sacraments and pastoral care is heartbreaking. […] Most upsetting and what has come to light is the admission that this situation already existed long before COVID-19 appeared on the horizon.”

The Message may also be found on the CCCB website at : https://www.cccb.ca/media-release/cccb-executive-committee-publishes-message-on-caring-in-the-midst-of-the-covid-19-pandemic/