Denver Catholic

15 DENVER CATHOLIC | JANUARY 17-23, 2015 O ccasionally we hear disturbing stories in the media about young people who perpetrate abuse against the elderly. In a widely reported 2009 story, for example, caretakers at the Quadrangle Assisted Living facility outside Philadelphia were charged in connection with the abuse of an elderly patient named Lois McCallister. Three employees, aged 19, 21 and 22, were caught on a surveillance camera as they taunted, mocked and assaulted a par- tially naked 78-year-old woman. She had begun complaining to visiting family members several months prior that someone was hurting her and hitting her. There were also initial signs of bruis- ing on her hand and wrist. After bringing the bruises to the attention of the nurs- ing home's administrators, the family was informed that the allegations were unfounded, and were told the accusations were simply the result of the patient's advancing dementia. Family members suspected there was more to it and clan- destinely installed a video camera, hidden in a clock in the victim's room. After capturing the assailants on tape, they concluded that the abuse su¦ ered by their mother had been ongoing for some time. One of the young women charged in the case told investigators she was working on another fl oor the night the clock/camera captured the scene in the elderly woman's room. A family member later told news reporters, "They called the third girl down from another fl oor and said, 'Come down, we're going to start.'" As a consequence of the abuse, the Department of Public Welfare eventu- ally revoked the license for the facility, and the family fi led a civil lawsuit against the parent company. A tragic event like this leads to intense questioning about how these young people, charged with the special care of the older generation, could end up becoming so callous, inhuman and brutal. What can be done to prevent this kind of "intergenerational discon- nect" from occurring in the future? And what can be done to build up unity and respect between generations? A nearly universal point of reference over the years, and a counsel of incal- culable worth, has been the injunction enshrined in the Decalogue: Honor your father and mother. A decision to abide by this commandment invariably serves to strengthen the concern of children for their parents and elders, and helps forge a bond between the generations. The Book of Sirach o¦ ers similarly sage advice: "My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. Even if his mind fails, be con- siderate of him; revile him not all the days of his life; kindness to a father will not be forgotten, fi rmly planted against the debt of your sins…" In a sense, it is precisely the weakness and vulnerability of the elderly that beckons us to manifest a greater respect towards them, and never to mistreat them in the strength of youth. As Pope John Paul II beautifully summed it up in his 1999 Letter to the Elderly: "… the signs of human frailty which are clearly connected with advanced age become a summons to the mutual dependence and indispensable solidarity which link the di¦ erent generations…" Compas- sionately attending to the needs of the elderly draws the generations together and builds solidarity. When the unique gifts of the elderly are invested and shared with the younger generation, this, too, builds up solidarity. Elderly people help us see human a¦ airs with a sense of perspec- tive tempered by experience, refl ection and wisdom. Whenever grandparents contribute to the raising and formation of the grandchildren, even by doing something as simple as teaching them how to pray and think about God, they strengthen intergenerational ties and build family unity. We can foster intergenerational care and support within our families and communities in other simple ways as well, for example, through conscien- tious parenting, including small but important steps such as insisting on meal time together as a family (which builds up mutual respect and concern for others in the family); teaching compassion by visiting sick or elderly neighbors together; teaching children to welcome all human life, even when weak or handicapped; praying together as a family, decreasing media time and guarding against violent video games, pornography and other practices that dehumanize people and make them seem like objects to be manipulated. As we seek to build relational bridges across generations, and work to con- struct a society that esteems its elders, we simultaneously build up homes and communities that are liberated of the threat of abuse or neglect—places of safety, mutual support and love, even as the hairs on our head turn gray and our strength wanes. Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D., serves as director of education at the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, www.ncbcenter.org. Making Sense of Bioethics FATHER TADEUSZ PACHOLCZYK, PH.D. Esteem elders and foster solidarity across generations WORLD DAY OF THE SICK 2015 will be recognized Feb. 11. Pope Francis' message for the occasion, based on Job 29:15 is available online at http://ow.ly/H1BS8. A s a Christmas gift to myself this year, I spent some time with a couple of good friends and we went to see "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies," a fi lm adaption of the chil- dren's novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. As adver- tised, it was exciting, entertain- ing and fun. Though the plot was a little thin, it was overall a satisfying conclu- sion to Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy and a good bridge to "The Lord of the Rings" movies. I am sure that I will hap- pily watch "The Hobbit" again someday. But fi rst, I will re-read the book. To be clear, I am not one to compare movies to their literary counterparts only to say "the book was better." When it comes to certain details, yes, books will always be better than fi lms. At the same time, fi lm is a worthy story-telling medium that can capture some expe- riences in a way that cannot be done well through text. With St. Thérèse of Lisieux, I declare that I "choose all"—books and movies, please! "The Hobbit" movies were very good, and yet I fi nd myself longing for one thing that only the book provided. It is not so much a plot detail, or character choice or story-telling style—it's more of a feeling that the book conveys. I will call it "charm." Maybe it could also be called "delight," "lighthearted- ness" or "childlikeness." When I read "The Hobbit" for the fi rst time, I was a seminarian on my annual silent retreat. One night I was seated by the fi re at the retreat center, engaged in an important scene in which Gandalf, Bilbo and the dwarves go to see Beorn—a terrifying man known for his short temper and for changing into a large bear. I found myself laughing out loud at the dialogue—wiping tears from my eyes because it was too funny. (I had to excuse myself from the fi re- place so as to not disturb somebody else's silence!) Just as Tolkien had begun to draw me into the dangerous realities of the characters' quest, he reminded me that I was still reading a children's book. It was as if Tolkein was saying: "Yes, this is serious and life is intense sometimes, but it's not without its humor and beauty." This is the charm of the novel.± What a lesson to learn!± God's grace was in that lesson for me.± It was a grace that appeared much the same way that Gandalf repeatedly appears: he comes when he is "most needed and least expected."± Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and G.K. Ches- terton are three novelists of the last century who had a wonderful gift for capturing the charm of life while telling stories that involve very profound topics such as death, sacrifi ce and honor. They were all able to mix in a certain unseriousness with some very serious realities. "The Hobbit" is an excellent example of this. I would describe it as a children's book for grown-ups. The quest of Gandalf, Bilbo and the dwarves is life-threatening. In the midst of this, friendships are made, loyalties are questioned and lives are lost. Yet, through and through, it is a story for children, and for grown-ups who need to be reminded to take childlike delight in life. I recommend watching the movies, for they are quite good. But the true riches are found in re-reading the book. For in it, you too may discover lessons that are "most needed and least expected." Tolkien's 'Hobbit' a children's book for adults Guest Column FATHER SCOTT BAILEY

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