Pastoral for senior citizens

Guideline for pastoral action
in residences for senior citizens
Dear Father,

As Pastor, you are called upon on a regular basis to express the concern of Christ for all the faithful who have been entrusted to your pastoral solicitude. Because of this, through the exercise of your ministry, you are frequently in touch with the sick and the aged of your parish.

Over the last few years, specialized homes for the chronically ill and the aged have greatly increased. A number of pastors have asked that some type of guidelines be issued concerning the pastoral responsibilities of the parish priests towards these residences. A committee, chaired by Bishop Gérard Tremblay, looked into this question and made a report which was the object of numerous consultations.
The document that I have approved and that is presented to you today is the result of the work already accomplished. It outlines the responsibility and the role of pastors regarding the faithful who live in a private residence for aged persons within the territory of their parish.

I appreciate your untiring efforts to respond to the spiritual needs of the aging. With God's grace and the protection of our Blessed Mother, it is my hope that these orientations will help you in your ministry of comfort.

With the assurance of my continued devotion in Christ the Priest, I express my sincere fraternal prayers and best wishes,

+ Jean-Claude Cardinal Turcotte
Archbishop of Montréal

Histoire | Archevêque | Présence au monde | Organisation | Activités | Communications
accueil | dons | liens | nous joindre | english

Biographie | Homélies et allocutions | textes officiels | Chronique du Journal de Montréal

www.diocesemontreal.org
June 2, 2003

Guideline for pastoral action
in residences for senior citizens

Dear Father,

As Pastor, you are called upon on a regular basis to express the concern of Christ for all the faithful who have been entrusted to your pastoral solicitude. Because of this, through the exercise of your ministry, you are frequently in touch with the sick and the aged of your parish.

Over the last few years, specialized homes for the chronically ill and the aged have greatly increased. A number of pastors have asked that some type of guidelines be issued concerning the pastoral responsibilities of the parish priests towards these residences. A committee, chaired by Bishop Gérard Tremblay, looked into this question and made a report which was the object of numerous consultations.
The document that I have approved and that is presented to you today is the result of the work already accomplished. It outlines the responsibility and the role of pastors regarding the faithful who live in a private residence for aged persons within the territory of their parish.

I appreciate your untiring efforts to respond to the spiritual needs of the aging. With God's grace and the protection of our Blessed Mother, it is my hope that these orientations will help you in your ministry of comfort.

With the assurance of my continued devotion in Christ the Priest, I express my sincere fraternal prayers and best wishes,

+ Jean-Claude Cardinal Turcotte
Archbishop of Montréal