[Current Affairs Analysis] Beyond a 'Discarded Culture' to Become a Partner in Synodalitas. An article in the Korean Catholic Peace Weekly by a professor in Social Studies.
Just as a child grows taller and develops deeper thoughts as they mature, society undergoes continuous political stability and economic development over time. In this process of societal development, as the quality of life for its members improves and they live longer and healthier lives, population aging progresses. In other words, population aging is a natural process of social development, and today we are experiencing global population aging. Furthermore, its impact extends beyond society as a whole to deeply permeate the church community as well.
Reflecting this, the 'International Conference on Pastoral Care of the Elderly,' organized by the Pontifical Congregation for the Laity, Family and Life, was held in the Vatican last October with the participation of 65 countries. The conference primarily discussed the 'alienation,' 'abandonment,' 'poverty,' and 'abuse' of the elderly, revealing the stark reality of the 'throwaway culture' that alienates the elderly—a culture that Pope Francis has criticized. Driven by the economic logic of extreme capitalism and a perspective that worships only youth, the elderly are often dismissed as 'unproductive, worthless, and superfluous lives.'
However, we must ask a fundamental question. If old age is such a worthless time, why did God grant it a much longer period than for the other creatures He loves most? The time of old age granted to us by God is not a surplus time disconnected from life. Old age is a time of completion that naturally follows the journey of life, and a time of new creation. The "discarded old age" rampant in our society today is not God's will, but merely a sorrowful result brought about by human greed and selfishness. As Simone de Beauvoir pointed out in her book *Old Age*, the status of the elderly has historically never been "won" by them but has been unilaterally "imposed" by society. In other words, the current culture of discarding is the result of all of us alienating the elderly and pushing them out of the community.
As Pope Francis has said, old age is a time of contemplation, allowing us to step away from the busyness of youth, integrate our lives, and realize the value of "existence itself." Although physical strength may weaken due to aging, our spiritual vision broadens, and it is a time to enjoy spiritual richness that allows us to focus more on the essential meaning of life. Therefore, cultivating our final years with dignity requires the collective effort of all members of society. We must view the elderly not merely as "auxiliary beings in need of care," but as "the future we will soon face" and "companions to live alongside." Particularly in the era of centenarians, where four, five, and even more generations coexist, we must contemplate how each generation can respect and care for one another while moving forward together.
This dilemma is also a task for the Korean Catholic Church and for all of us as we prepare for the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul. Beyond being a mere festival for young people, World Youth Day must become a venue for the practice of "synodalitas"—a "journey walked together by the people of God"—where generational divides are overcome and the grandparent and youth generations share the legacy of faith and stand in solidarity. This is because the essence of synodalitas lies not in an old age that steals the future of youth, but in an old age that transmits the legacy of faith cultivated over a lifetime and bears witness to unyielding hope.