Church Statements

Catechesi tradendae (1979) is an Apostolic Exhortation by Pope John Paul II in which he states that those children and youth living with the effects of various physical and mental impairments, like all others of their age, have a right to know the mystery of faith.

Laborem exercens (14 September 1981) is an Encyclical by Pope John Paul II suggesting that to limit societal intercourse by way of function is beneath the dignity of the human person, pitting the strong and healthy against the weak and sick.

Enchiridion vaticanum (4 March 1981) (Volume 7, page 1044) is a Curial Statement from the Holy See) that…. “the disabled person (whether the disability be the result of a congenital handicap, chronic illness, or accident, or from mental or physical deficiency, and whatever the severity of the disability is a fully human subject with the corresponding innate, sacred and inviolable rights…from the moment of conception and in every stage of development, whatever his or her physical condition.”

Familiaris consortio (22 November 1981) by Pope John Paul II, is an Apostolic Exhortation that contains the direction that: Each child is to be formed in the community of the family, with his or her personal dignity highlighted, especially those children who are sick or suffering or handicapped. The church believes that all human life, even if weak and suffering, is always a splendid gift of God’s goodness. Thus, special pastoral care must be afforded families with special needs (e.g. a child with some physical or mental impairment).

The Handicapped in Modern Society (10 September 1984, Pope John Paul II during a pastoral visit to Quebec, Canada) “I would like to say once again clearly and forcefully: the handicapped person is a human subject in the full sense, with all the innate, sacred, and inviolable rights that that entails.”

Pastoral visit to Hobart, Tasmania (11 December 1988 - Pope John Paul II speaking at a Church run training center) “A further point I wish to make concerning the disabled. They are citizens with full rights and they should be helped to have a real share in the life of the society. It would be radically unworthy of man and a denial of our common humanity to deny disabled persons access to the full life of the community.

Evangelium Vitae (25 March 1995) Encyclical by Pope John Paul II warns against the culture of death, stating that often times, a person who lives with an illness or impairment compromises the life-style or well being of those more well favored, and is seen as an enemy to be resisted or eliminated. He also warns against the evil of eugenic abortion, describes those targeted for therapeutic intervention as persons with limitation, illness or impediments. The next section speaks to the horror of euthanasia. Pope John Paul described malformed infants, the weak or feeble, and the elderly as targeted for elimination by those advocating euthanasia.

More Recent Statements of the Holy See

• Conclusions of a Vatican Conference on the Family and the Integration of the Disabled
• Jubilee of the Disabled -- Homily of John Paul II
• Committee for The Jubilee Day of the Community with People with Disabilities The Person with Disabilities: Subject – Active Agent in Ministry
• Committee for The Jubilee Day of the Community with People with Disabilities The Person with Disabilities: Subject – Receiver of Evangelization and Catechesis
• Message for the World Day of Sight
• Message on the Occasion of the International Symposium on The Dignity and Rights of the Mentally Retarded Person
• Address to the Members of the Christian Office of the Disabled
• Social Development Including Questions Relating to the World Social Situation, and to Youth, Ageing, Disabled Persons, and the Family
• Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for the 14th World Day of the Sick
• Visit To The "Regina Pacis Center" Address Of His Holiness Benedict Xvi
• Benedict XVI Extols the Dignity of the Disabled
• Papal Words to Conference on Care of the Deaf
• Conclusion of Vatican Congress on the Deaf

Statements From the USCCB

• Special Needs Resource Directory: Embracing Children with Special Needs in our Catholic Schools and Parish Religious Education Programs
• Adults with Cognitive Disabilities/Mental Retardation: Approaches to Adult Faith Formation
• Welcome and Justice for Persons with Disabilities: A Framework of Access and Inclusion
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• Pastoral Statement of US Catholic Bishops on People with Disabilities
• Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities