Indian Bishop speaks on the spirituality and dignity of the elderly at Vatican Conference

In a profound address during an international conference on pastoral care at the Vatican, Bishop Rayarala Vijaykumar of Srikakulam, India, emphasized the inherent dignity and spiritual wealth of the elderly. The conference, organized by the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, took place from October 2 to 4 and gathered around 150 delegates from 65 countries, representing 55 bishops’ conferences as well as various religious associations committed to the care of the elderly.

Bishop Vijaykumar, accompanied by his wheelchair-bound mother and sister, shared a deeply moving moment with Pope Leo XIV during the papal audience. As the Pope approached, he bent forward to bless the bishop’s mother, who gently touched the Holy Father’s cheeks and then her forehead, a gesture of love and respect steeped in cultural significance.

“The prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, facilitated my participation,” acknowledged Bishop Rayarala with gratitude. In his presentation, delivered in Italian, the bishop focused on appreciating the spirituality of the elderly within the socio-cultural and religious context of India.

Highlighting the teachings of Pope Francis, the bishop urged the audience to view the elderly not as burdens but as invaluable repositories of wisdom and experience. “The best of life is still yet to be seen,” he quoted, underscoring a powerful message of hope for elderly individuals who may feel abandoned or isolated. Bishop Vijaykumar called upon society to embrace aging as a unique opportunity for ministry, urging everyone to serve as signs of hope, faith, and charity.

Drawing from ancient Indian scriptures, he cited: “Maatru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava, Atithi Devo Bhava,” which translates to “revere your mother, father, teacher, and guest as divine.” This, he said, illustrates the deep respect traditionally accorded to elders in Indian culture.

The bishop outlined the four stages of human life in Hindu tradition, explaining how modern individualism and the shift from extended to nuclear family structures have marginalized the elderly in contemporary society. “In the past, the elderly served as vital connectors of tradition and wisdom, bridging generations. Today, however, many elderly individuals experience isolation and undervaluation,” he lamented.

His heartfelt testimony resonated strongly with participants as he warned against the growing disconnect between youth and elders. “You cannot truly grow old if you don’t know how to live with an elder,” he stated, adding that a society that neglects its elders fails to understand its roots and traditions.

Bishop Vijaykumar concluded with a compelling reminder from Pope Leo XIV about the Church’s collective responsibility to care for the elderly, affirming that “Christian hope always urges us to dare more, to think big, and to not settle for the status quo.”

As the conference progressed, discussions focused on building integrated support systems for the elderly worldwide, emphasizing their crucial role in families, communities, and the Church. The dialogue represented a significant step toward restoring dignity and respect for the elderly, grounding aspirations for their care in both spiritual and practical terms.

(Fr. Kampan Chinnam is the Secretary of Northeast Social Communication (NESCOM), India. He contributes news and articles to several national and international platforms.)