Old Age in the Perspective of Faith: Elderly People in the Life of the Church

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The main purpose of the reviewed article is to analyse Pope Francis' eighteen catechesis on old age and ageing, preached at the Vatican in 2022. The current demographic crisis in Europe has many consequences, including in the understanding of different dimensions of human existence. Based on the thought of Pope Francis, the author(s) of this article show how important a proper reference to the human spiritual sphere plays an important role in the good and peaceful experience of old age, both by the elderly themselves and by others towards the elderly.

On the basis of the analysis of the texts of the speeches, several main ideas are highlighted: (1) old age as a time of thanksgiving; (2) old age as a time of preparation for eternal life; (3) old age as a time of deeper discovery of faith; (4) old age as a time of social commitment and entry into the life of the community of the Church.

The article is coherent, factual and contains correct analyses and interpretations of Pope Francis' texts. The literature is adequate to the content, sufficient.

One suggestion is to clarify in the case of the term 'Church' that it is the Catholic Church, for a better understanding of the text in a multicultural context. If possible, it would be useful to indicate in the conclusion to what extent the presented thought of Pope Francis on living old age can also be valid and helpful for followers of other religions and even non-believers.

Author Response

Review I.

The reviewer's opinion and suggestion to present and indicate that Pope Francis' teaching on old age has a universal dimension, and is not directed only to members of the Catholic Church, I accept as legitimate and right, and therefore adopting it at the suggestion of the reviewer, in the introduction and conclusion, as well as in the summary, this aspect is included.

Review II.

In the review, it seems that here, too, the reviewer's suggestion draws attention to emphasizing the fact that Pope Francis' teaching is directed not only to members of the Catholic Church, but has a broader dimension and applies to all Christians, in fact, to every human community, since the human being is the highest value regardless of age and health situation, so this aspect was corrected in the conclusion, and this aspect was also pointed out in the summary.

The reference to Scripture has been consciously limited only to those elements and that biblical teaching referred to by Francis and John Paul II. This is because the topic of old age in Scripture is very extensive and rich, and to explore it in depth would have to be done in a separate work. 

 

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This research contributes to a dearth of scholarship on the value of the elderly in the life of the Christian church.  The writing reads as a close reading of Pope Francis and John Paul II texts, with some reference to scripture.  The author might overtly own this privileging of Papal teaching, and suggest how this view of the elderly is useful to the broader Christian church.  Attending more to the elderly in Scripture might also gain a broader audience.

Author Response

Review II:

 

In the review, it seems that here, too, the reviewer's suggestion draws attention to emphasizing the fact that Pope Francis' teaching is directed not only to members of the Catholic Church, but has a broader dimension and applies to all Christians, in fact, to every human community, since the human being is the highest value regardless of age and health situation, so this aspect was corrected in the conclusion, and this aspect was also pointed out in the summary.

The reference to Scripture has been consciously limited only to those elements and that biblical teaching referred to by Francis and John Paul II. This is because the topic of old age in Scripture is very extensive and rich, and to explore it in depth would have to be done in a separate work.