Catholics with disabilities often express the notion that attitudes of others may be the greatest barriers to full, conscious and active participation. Many people feel that they must “take care” of those with disabilities instead of working together as full partners. Sometimes a person may have a disability affecting speech and motor skills (such as cerebral palsy) which causes others to consider them mentally retarded even though the disability has no effect on intelligence.
With that said, some people with disabilities may be viewed as disruptive. This is perhaps most noticeable with mental disabilities (for example, an autistic child or an adult with a mental illness). A culture of welcome at the parish determines how best to include people with disabilities such as these. Such a culture also helps balance the needs of the overall community with the individual’s needs and helps to determine how particular disruptions can be addressed with compassion and justice.
Attitudes are often shaped by the concept that including people with disabilities will cost money for renovations and additional services or create more work for parishioners. Some also are reticent to create barrier-free spaces for fear that architecture or art will be compromised by ramps, railings or other devices. Once again, involving Catholics with disabilities in the development of short- and long-range planning may change attitudes and help address fears and concerns. Enlisting the help of professionals from the parish may also keep costs to a minimum and help educate even more parishioners.
Parishioners’ attitudes can be strongly influenced by the positive attitude of the pastor and other parish leaders. For example, if a person with a mental illness has minor outbursts during Mass, the pastor can tactfully assure people that this is not in any way “bothersome” to him, thus dispelling any notion that this is an “interruption” to Mass or that it is “distracting Father.” If the disruption becomes more severe, he can address the individual’s needs with family members or a care giver. A pastor or parish leader who is welcoming of altar servers with cognitive disabilities, a reader who is in a wheelchair or a greeter who is blind will go a long way in emphasizing that God calls all people to use their gifts for the good of the community.
Finally, many people say, “We don’t have any parishioners with disabilities. We’ll address these issues when we do.” Based on the statistics above and many anecdotal stories, we know that virtually every community includes people with disabilities. However, they may not attend a particular parish (or any parish) because they do not feel welcome and do not wish to feel singled out or as if they are “causing trouble.” People with disabilities desire to worship God as an equal in the community, not as an outsider who disrupts simply by being present.
SOURCE: Guiding Principles & Strategies for Inclusion in the Liturgy of Catholics with Disabilities (Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions, 2005)
In December 1999, the Pontifical Council for the Family called a Vatican Conference on the role of the family in the development of persons with disabilities. Conference participants identified four negative attitudes that get in the way of the full development of children with disabilities. While the focus was the family, the same four attitudes can impact the parish family and get in the way of the ministry of persons with disabilities.
So what should parishes do as they welcome persons with disabilities in the liturgical ministries? As Jesus said to the crowd, "CALL." Society provides access to persons with disabilities-but often as observers rather than as participants. As a result, many people with disabilities continue to experience isolation. A specific invitation to become actively involved in the liturgy means a lot. If you think a person can be a good usher, reader, server, or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, let him or her know!