Archbishop encourages solidarity between generations in Christmas message

Listen to the message here

In his traditional Christmas address, Archbishop Paul Cremona proposed that society gives the merited attention to the elderly, most especially those who reside in residential homes.

His message comes ahead of the European Year (2012) for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations.

"We should not limit ourselves to visiting them on special occasions only, but we should visit them throughout the whole year," Cremona said,

"As members of a particular group or institution we should support initiatives that encourage us to share the burden of those elderly persons who may be lonely and alone in order to make their burden easier to endure."

Delivering his address from the residence of St Vincent de Paule, the Archbishop was accompanied by youngsters and children.

"The children are here to demonstrate that solidarity does exists between generations. Their presence also highlights the reality that the elderly too were once youngsters, they were once children and have now journeyed through life's full cycle."

Recalling the birth of Jesus Christ, the Archbishop said his humanity subjected him to the constraints of time: "He was a child, he was a youth, he became an adult, yet unfortunately, man did not allow him to reach the maturity of old age - he was put killed, crucified - at the age of 33."

Cremona noted the despite there are many acts of chairty in the Gospel, there is hardly any mention of ministering to the elderly.

"In my opinion, the reason for this is that in those days, society was very different to the way it is today. To begin with, in the time of Jesus, life expectancy was very short.  Very few people reached old age," Cremona said.

"The second reason is that in those days, people showed great respect towards the elderly and their experience and wisdom was very much valued. In this regard, society paid a lot of attention to the elderly."

Cremona said society at the time gave much importance to the fourth commandment - honour thy father and thy mother - and formed an integral part of the culture.

"In our contemporary age, we face a different reality. It is different in the sense that today there are several people who reach old age.  The life expectancy is much longer and many are those who live to reach old age - indeed some people live well over the age of 80.

"Another factor which we must consider is that although there are many elderly persons, these fall under two categories: there are those who are still active and then there are those who require the assistance of others."

Cremona added that today society tends to place more value upon that which is new and innovative rather than upon the experience of those who are older.  

"Such is their experience through which we are able to learn and reflect upon the present," he said.

"I wish you all a Happy Christmas. God willing, may all the members of our families enjoy Christmas together, in a spirit of solidarity between the generations.  As the New Year draws in, may God shower His many blessings upon all our families and its elderly members."