"The elderly worker has
wisdom, experience and skills
that should not be cast aside"
On March 29, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See Mission to the United Nations, delivered a statement at the 11th Session of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing. The Session was held at the United Nations Headquarters.
Archbishop Caccia spoke on three main themes: the dignity of the elderly, the elderly and employment, and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the elderly.
Archbishop Caccia welcomed the efforts of those who "make room for the elderly" rather than allow them to be disregarded. He cautioned against hiring practices that discriminate against older applicants and also warned against focusing only on paid work and thereby trivializing the significant roles elderly relatives play in unpaid family care. Finally, he encouraged more consideration to be given to the care of elderly relatives, avoiding too easily relegating them to institutions, an issue brought to the fore by what has happened to the elderly in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A copy of the full statement can be found here.
Happy Birthday Mother Teodora!
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS: On April 1, staff and interns celebrated Maundy Thursday, the Institution of the Eucharist and of the Priesthood, and Mother Teodora's birthday. Mother Teodora, our Office Manager, is pictured here with Msgr. Hilary Franco and her birthday cake.