The Contribution of Church-Based Networks to Social Care in the Coronavirus Pandemic and Beyond: The Case of Pastoral da Pessoa Idosa in Brazil

Abstract

The Pastoral da Pessoa Idosa (PPI) is a national voluntary movement linked to the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB), comprising approximately 2500 volunteers, who offer guidance and support for well-being to more than 170,000 older people throughout Brazil. This paper analyses the results of a data gathering exercise designed to gain an overview of the scope, support needs and international transferability of the project in ‘normal’ times and during the coronavirus pandemic. A telephone questionnaire comprising 21 questions was launched nationally among PPI volunteers over a single week in May 2020. The dataset (n = 3888) was subjected to exploratory statistical analysis and key findings collated around three guiding questions. The central findings were, first, that the composition of the body of volunteers is changing, requiring changes to training and support; secondly, that the model may be exportable to other middle-income countries in which the Catholic Church does not have the same dominance over the culture, as long as a national organising structure is in place; and finally that the speedy and flexible response of the PPI to the coronavirus pandemic suggests that this type of NGO will have a role in response to future national crises.

Keywords

• social policy
• aging
• religious organisation
• social care
• pandemic
• Brazil