DIE ALTERUNG DER GESELLSCHAFTEN ALS ZEICHEN DER ZEIT
Aging society as the signs of the time

Summary/Abstract: The Church has the duty of scrutinizing the signs of the time. They are processes and social phenomena to which followers of Christ can not be indifferent. Signs of the times are loci theologici. They can not be interpreted as pure facts, but as a reality privileged by God that He uses to show humanity His plans and purposes. The phenomenon of aging populations belongs to the signs of the time. It affects not only Western countries, but also Eastern Europe and Russia. Although older people are sometimes described as an economic burden for the younger generation, it is difficult to imagine social life without them. They play an important role in it, providing assistance to their families, as well as undertaking a number of initiatives for the common good. As “guardians of the collective memory” (John Paul II), elderly persons help young people to discover the meaning of life and to shape their personal identities. Their wisdom and experience contributes to building a better world. For the Church, this means a challenge to use their potential for the development of the work of evangelization and to provide them with pastoral support, responding to their spiritual needs and helping them to live with dignity in the “autumn of life”.

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