The Catholic Church in Malta Prioritizes Care for the Elderly

As the sun sets on another day in Malta, the Catholic Church is shining a light on the importance of caring for the elderly. In a recent update to their guidelines, the Church emphasizes the need to show honor and respect for the elderly, particularly in the final stages of life.

New Ethical Guidelines

The Maltese Bishops have released a document titled ‘Care for Elderly Persons in Church Residential Homes in Malta: Ethical Guidelines.’ This initiative aims to highlight the Church’s ethical standards for caring for the elderly, emphasizing the protection and development of life until the very end.

Consulting with a group of experts and ethicists, the Church reaffirms the duty of citizens to promote the dignity of the elderly and uphold the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.

Honoring Life

Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta stresses the importance of honoring, cherishing, and celebrating the elderly. He emphasizes that society’s quality depends on how we care for the elderly and vulnerable, viewing them not as a burden but as messengers of tenderness and wisdom.

The guidelines cover six key chapters, including ethical values, palliative care, and regulations, all aimed at ensuring that the elderly are treated with dignity and respect.

Prioritizing Dignity

Monsignor Emmanuel Agius, co-author and bioethicist, emphasizes the need for older people to be free from exploitation and abuse. He advocates for a robust palliative care strategy to help the elderly live with dignity until the end of their lives.

The guidelines also address the use of medical technology to sustain life, stressing the importance of using proportionate means that offer a reasonable hope of benefit without imposing excessive burdens.

Advance Care Planning

The document highlights the importance of advance care planning, allowing the elderly to appoint a representative to make healthcare decisions on their behalf. This ensures that care is provided in line with Christian ethical principles and respects the wishes and values of those in care.