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A spirit of optimism can be felt in Switzerland. But for many, nothing is the same as it was: Corona has taken many loved ones away.
Declining numbers of corona cases, measures largely abolished, soon an enticing spring: But for many people in Switzerland, despite this good news, things are no longer going as they did before the pandemic. You have lost a close family member in the last two years.
In this spirit of optimism, the corona dead are increasingly being forgotten. The theologian Isabelle Noth, who is a professor of pastoral care at the University of Bern, knows that it is not easy for those in mourning.
«The simultaneity of the non-simultaneous»
“Right now it’s a kind of ‘the simultaneity of the non-simultaneous’. It’s not an easy situation, especially because the easing came so quickly.” Understandably, some would cheer. At the same time, they wanted some consideration: “For those who are really in mourning and those who are still particularly at risk.”
Some of those affected are calling for a national day of remembrance or candles in the windows. Theologian Noth would welcome such a sign of solidarity: “As a sign that you are aware that many people are still naturally in mourning.” It helps the mourners when the environment and society perceive and acknowledge that they are still mourning.
Many Swiss children and young people also mourned or suffered during the pandemic. The pastoral asked for it. “As an interim assessment of the pandemic, we had to realize that we have deficits in the field of pastoral care for children and young people,” says Noth.
It was noticed that in the area of children and adolescents the basic psychiatric care was not guaranteed to the extent that would be desirable.
Pastoral care often had to step in. “It’s our turn to fix that. There must be clear, Switzerland-wide pastoral care for children and young people. The focus on the needs of children and young people must be strengthened.”
However, this support is a societal complex that has become clear in the pandemic. “Here we have to make progress as a whole society.” The pastoral care has already planned steps for this.
Proposed Changes
So it needs a specific training, the theologian calls a planned step. “People need to have the specific skills needed to build professional relationships, especially with children and young people. That will be available shortly.”
Legend:
Distance, masks, isolation, fears: the pandemic also caused problems for children and young people.
Keystone/Alessandro Della Valle
Furthermore, it must be clear what the religious-psychological, what the practical-theological insights are in the field of child and youth research; and how to implement it. The image of the parishes should also change: “They should no longer be primarily associated with empty pews, but also with their pastoral commitment.”
Pandemic awakens primal fears
The Swiss pastoral care is therefore drawing consequences from the pandemic. Also because we as a society are getting closer to death. “Because of the deaths caused by the pandemic, but also beyond that,” says Isabelle Noth. “Just hearing about and being confronted with a virus that can be fatal awakens primal fears.”
Just hearing about and being confronted with a virus that can be deadly awakens primal fears.
This brings the issue of death and dying to the fore. “Everyone had to realize that we are vulnerable beings and we depend on each other.”
Isabelle Noth
Evangelical theologian