Cry for Justice

"It is not enough merely to affirm the rights of handicapped people. We must actively work to make them real in the fabric of modern society. Recognizing that handicapped individuals have a claim to our respect be-cause they are persons, because they share in the one redemption of Christ, and because they contribute to our society by their activity within it, the church must become an advocate for and with them. It must work to increase the public's sensitivity toward the needs of handicapped people and support their rightful demand for justice. Moreover, individuals and organizations at every level within the Church should minister to handicapped persons by serving their personal and social needs. Many handicapped persons can function on their own as well as anyone in society. For others, aid would be welcome. All of us can visit the homebound, offer transportation to those who cannot drive, read to those who cannot read, speak out for those who have difficulty pleading their own case. In touching the lives of handicapped men, women and children in this way, we come closest to imitating Jesus' own example, which should be always before our eyes."(cf. Lk. 4:17-19,21)

That provocative quotation is from the U.S. Catholic Bishops' Pastoral Statement on Handicapped People. It has been recognized by many disabled activists, Christian or non, as an "on target" cry for justice. This November is the 10th anniversary of its publication, and it affords the opportunity to reflect on this document and do an examination of conscience on where we stand as Christians dedicated to the dignity and worth of every human being. One of every eight persons in the U.S. has a disability, and the percentage is increasing as more accidents occur and our population advances in age.

A Monumental Change

In the 1930's, '40'and '50's disabled people and their families for the most part attempted individually to gain access to a full life. Up until the 1960's, this most disenfranchised segment of society was treated at best with sympathy and at worst with derision. In our own country, they had no civil rights - not even a right to education. During the '60's, the movement for inclusion grew in numbers, strength and determination as disabled people were continually excluded from all major pieces of civil rights legislation. The 1970's marked an historic turning point for disabled persons, their families and advocates. Growing numbers of people survived disability and the post-war years brought thousands of disabled veterans home. For the first time, an organized national movement began to demand civil rights to housing, transportation, recreation, employment - all that society has to offer. Some significant gains were made -- the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 enunciated the civil rights of disabled people, the Education For All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 guaranteed the right to education, and the courageous efforts of disability activists, who staged sit-ins at U.S. Government offices around the country, forced regulations to implement the laws.

Religious congregations, institutions and denominations were not spared from this push for inclusion. This led to self examination in a change of attitude and practice in respecting the dignity and worth of these persons, as well as a recognition of the error of exclusion. The Pastoral Statement forthrightly states: "...in a spirit of humble candor, we must acknowledge that at times we have responded to the needs of some of our handicapped people only after circumstances or public opinion have compelled us to do so. By every means possible, therefore, the Church must continue to expand its healing ministry to these persons, helping them when necessary, working with them and raising its voice with them and with all members of society who are their advocates."

Calling for Openness and Inclusivity

The impetus of the disabled activists and some informed church leaders led to events and documents that are turning points in the history of disabled people. The World Council of Churches meeting in Nairobi in 1975 addressed the scandal of the exclusion of disabled people in church life. Ms. Ruth Elizabeth Knapp from New York, disabled since childhood, presented a paper entitled "Breaking Barriers", in which she wrote: "The Church's unity includes both the 'disabled' and the 'able'....yet able-bodied church members...marginalize and often exclude those with mental or physical disabilities....the church cannot exemplify 'the full humanity revealed in Christ, bear witness to the interdependence of humankind, or achieve unity in diversity if it continues to acquiesce in the social isolation of disabled persons and to deny them full participation in its life. The unity of the family of god is handicapped where these brothers and sisters are treated as objects of condescending charity."

Ms. Knapp's article and those of other disabled scholars were published by The World Council of Churches in an excellent book entitled "Partners In Life - The Handicapped and The Church". One of the contributors, Ulrich Bach, New Testament scholar and pastor, disabled by polio writes in his article "Room For All of Us To Be Free":

"Many Christians feel that there is an enormous disparity between the message of the New Testament and the place which handicapped people occupy, or fail to occupy, in our congregations today....Paul says: 'There is no such thing as Jew or Greek, slave and freeman, male or female' (and to bring him up to date there is neither handicapped or non-handicapped) 'for you are all one person in Christ'...."(Gal 3,28)

He goes on to say: "Differences, however deep, whether religious, social or physical, have no divisive role in a real congregation of Jesus Christ.... We must think in terms of solidarity with our brothers and sisters. As 'us' - not ‘them'!....Do we think of God as one who must prevent us from suffering?....Put bluntly: tell me how you talk about God and I'll tell you what your 'service' (diaconia) is like, or what handicapped people can expect from you, or whether you expect anything from them.

"We all hanker after a God who will ensure that things work out for us and for others, a god who prevents suffering in our lives - or at least makes suffering bearable....Service (diaconia) becomes an impressive repair program; almost everything can be put right for most of humanity, and for the unfortunate remainder there is still the glorious hope of the last day.... As an invalid In a wheelchair, I have felt almost a physical shock at the way this kind of so-called theology (reflected in books, hymns, sermons, etc.) not only fails to provide any practical help but constitutes a definite hindrance to a handicapped person's efforts to be a Christian....If we believe that the world is free from any radical defects, this means that the handicapped person constitutes an exception, a marginal figure in the world, suffering from a radical defect."

Dr. Harold Wilke, world-famous armless United Church of Christ minister, writes in "Partners In Life" on the exclusivity of churches: "Mirroring the secular world, resistance to the presence of handicapped persons is a continuing blot upon the Church's attempt to openness and inclusivity....Societally alienated persons are far too often rejected by the local congregation and responded to, if at all, primarily in terms of a 'mission' on the part of the Church to these groups -- to alcoholics, the mentally retarded, the physically disabled, returnees from mental hospitals, the violence-prone, former prisoners, and the aging. These are the persons who are wounded or ill on the road to Jericho wherever we travel. On this road the Church is far too often not the good Samaritan, but the priest and the Levite passing by on the other side.

"This new minority.... only now begins to find its identity and express its power. With close ties to religious faith -- for literally millions a trust in God -- they feel the dark side of perverted expressions of that faith: my blind friend complains bitterly of the many 'church people' who say to her 'If your faith in Jesus were strong enough, you could overcome your blindness.' Many Christians cringe daily in having such judgmental words spoken directly to them."

Frank Bowe, who is deaf, a renowned leader in the movement for full integration, writes in his book Handicapping America: "The example by Jesus of seeking out and helping disabled people inaugurated a new period of sympathy and pity toward persons with disabilities. Church men and women began to organize services for disabled persons, doing much that was needed but also creating a provider-receiver relationship that continues to this day to characterize charitable causes."

This made "patients" out of disabled persons and even enforced the mentality that they were people to be attended to and not those who are on equal status with able-bodied persons.

Equal Partners

The Bishops' Pastoral Statement takes up the same theme: "If handicapped people are to become equal partners in the Christian community, injustices must be eliminated and ignorance and apathy replaced by increased sensitivity and warm acceptance. The leaders of the general membership of the Church must educate themselves to appreciate fully the contribution handicapped people can make to the Church's spiritual life. Handicapped individuals bring with them a special insight into the meaning of life; for they live, more than the rest of us perhaps, in the shadow of the cross. And out of their experience they forge virtues like courage, patience, perseverance, compassion and sensitivity that should serve as an inspiration to all Christians."

They further stated: "Handicapped people are not looking for pity. They seek to serve the community and to enjoy their full baptismal rights as members of the Church. Our interaction with them can and should be an affirmation of our faith. There can be no separate Church for handicapped people. We are one flock that serves a single shepherd."

Unused Gifts

"Further, realizing the unique gifts handicapped individuals have to offer the Church, we wish to address the need for their integration into the Christian community and their fuller participation in its life."

One of the most radical observations in the Catholic Bishops' Pastoral, albeit a short paragraph: "Handicapped people can also play a more active role in the liturgy if provided with proper aids and training. Blind parishioners can serve as lectors, for example, and deaf parishioners as special ministers of the Eucharist. We look forward to the day when more handicapped individuals are active in the full-time, professional service of the Church, and we applaud recent decisions to accept qualified candidates for ordination or the religious life in spite of their significant disabilities." T

his precious advice has been woefully neglected. Imagine how scenes of the gospels would come alive if a blind person read the passage of the blind man in John 9, and preached on It, or the mother of a disabled child read the passage of the Syro-Phoeniclan woman (Mt. 15, 21f.) and commented on it.

This is a humble acknowledgment of the fact that Catholic Church Law and Practice in the past prohibited disabled persons from being ordained or entering religious communities of men and women. There have been some exceptions and some movement in this direction but there has been precious little effort to recruit men and women with disabilities, even at this time when there is such a shortage of vocations. Long held negative attitudes still prevail.

Current Civil Legislation

There is a happy concurrence at the time of the anniversary of the Catholic Bishops' Pastoral Statement. Before Congress at this time is "The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1988".This advances and adds to previous civil rights laws which prohibit discrimination against men and women who have disabilities. In its own words, it seeks to "provide clear, strong, consistent and enforceable standards addressing discrimination against persons with disabilities."

Senator Lowell Weicker, who has a disabled sop, is one of the sponsors of this bill. In his introduction of it, he made these comments when he introduced the bill last spring.

"People with cerebral palsy are turned away from restaurants because proprietors say their appearance will upset other patrons. People who use wheelchairs are blocked by curbs, steps and narrow doorways from getting into many arenas, stadiums, theaters and other public buildings; many such facilities have no provisions for people with hearing or visual impairments

"It has been over 3 years since some zoos and parks were closed to keep blacks from visiting them at the peak of civil rights demonstrations and boycotts. Yet it was only last month that The Washington Post reported the story of a New Jersey zookeeper who refused to admit children with Down's syndrome because he feared they would upset the chimpanzees."

Observations of Specialists

In questioning some men and women who are involved in working full time on behalf of and with disabled persons about how the Pastoral is being implemented, the following assessments communicated are as follows: "Our diocese is not doing much to honor the 10th anniversary and is really not doing anything significant to implement the Pastoral Statement fully. However, on the positive side, some dioceses have put a great deal of planning and energy into establishing policies and implementing the same. Lay persons with disabilities and members of their families have become more assertive and conscious of the rights to inclusion. The National Catholic Office for Persons With Disabilities has done a good job in its brief history but in many areas of the country there is not that much of a response. One of the religious leaders in advocacy and working with disabled persons said that he thinks that 90% of the priests and the Directors of Religious Education have never read the Pastoral. Also, there is little or no interest in recruiting persons with disabilities for the priesthood or religious life. He added that even if a mobility impaired person were accepted for the seminary in his diocese, that candidate would not be able to get into the buildings on his own.

Another commentary: "There is a lack of adequate religious education for disabled children but serious efforts are underway. In some instances, children with a variety of disabilities are put together - which, of course, does not meet the specific needs of those with different kinds of disabilities. Likewise, there are specific qualifications and expertise to be able to educate children with different disabilities."

Another long-term veteran in working with developmentally impaired persons reports that the Pastoral Statement has been very helpful to parish representatives on behalf of their clients. But the rating is low in terms of clergy and bishops, in general, in understanding the needs of those who are Developmentally Impaired. For example, the lack of good, up-to-date Sacramental Theology and Moral Theology for these persons. There is hardly anyone speaking up for those who are Developmentally Impaired. "It is an invisible ministry."

The Call to All of us

"The same Jesus who heard the cry for recognition from the handicapped of Judea and Samaria 2,000 years ago calls us, His followers, to embrace our responsibility to our own handicapped brothers and sisters in the United States."

...we are committed to working for a deeper understanding of both the pain and the potential of our neighbors who are blind, deaf, mentally retarded, emotionally impaired, who have special learning problems, or who suffer from single or multiple physical handicaps--all those whom disability may set apart."

"Just as the Church must do all in its power to help ensure handicapped people a Secure place in the human community, so it must reach out to welcome gratefully those who seek to participate in the ecclesial community. The central meaning of Jesus' ministry is bound up with the fact that He sought the company of people who, for one reason or another, were forced to live on the fringe of society. (cf. Mk. 7:37) These He made the special object of His attention, declaring that the last would be first and that the humble would be exalted in His Father's kingdom. (cf. Mt. 2:16, 23:12) The Church finds Its true identity when it fully integrates itself with these 'marginal' people, including those who suffer from physical and psychological disabilities."

"This concern should be extended also to the families and especially the parents of handicapped people. No family is ever really prepared for the birth of a handicapped child. When such a child does come into the world, families often need strong support from their faith community. That support must remain firm with the passage of years. The path to independence for handicapped individuals can be difficult."

"Full participation in the Christian community has another important aspect that must not be overlooked. When we think of handicapped people in relation to ministry, we tend automatically to think of doing something for them. We do not reflect that they can do something for us and with us."

"Full participation in the Christian community has another Important aspect that must not be overlooked. When we think of handicapped people In relation to ministry, we tend automatically to think of doing something for them. We do not reflect that they can do something for us and with us."

"The most obvious obstacle to participation in parish activities faced by many handicapped people is the physical design of parish buildings. Structurally inaccessible buildings are at once a sign and a guarantee of their isolation from the community."

"...provisions of free access to religious functions for all interested people is a pastoral duty."

"If both new construction and the adaptation of present buildings are out of the question, the parish should devise other ways to reach its handicapped members. In cooperation with them, parish leaders may locate substitute facilities, for example, or make a concerted effort to serve at home those who cannot come to church."

"Accessibility involves far more than physical alterations to parish buildings. Realistic provision must be made for handicapped persons to participate fully in the Eucharist and other liturgical celebrations such as the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Anointing of the Sick."

"The clergy, religious and laity engaged in this program should help the parish by developing policy and translating it into practical strategies for working with handicapped individuals. They should serve as advocates for handicapped people seeking help from other agencies. Finally, they should monitor public policy and generate multifaceted educational opportunities for those who minister to and with handicapped people."

"This concern should find expression at all levels. Parishes should maintain their own programs of ministry with handicapped people, and dioceses should make every effort to establish offices that coordinate this ministry and support parish efforts. Finally, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and The U.S. Catholic Conference will be more vigilant in promoting ministry with handicapped persons throughout the structure of the Church."

"The leaders and the general membership of the Church must educate themselves to appreciate fully the contribution handicapped people can make to the Church's spiritual life. Handicapped individuals bring with them a special insight into the meaning of life; for they live, more than the rest of us perhaps, in the shadow of the cross. And out of their experience they forge virtues like courage, patience, perseverance, compassion and sensitivity that should serve as an inspiration to all Christians."

Editor's note:

This document of the U.S. Bishops is as pertinent today as it was 10 years ago. While it has had a great impact on the lives of many disabled persons, their families, friends, associates, clergy, and people interested in the cause, there is still so much to be done to implement it fully.

There are scores of clergy, religious, ministers, and other lay experts who work with disabled people, who have voiced their praise of this pastoral on handicapped persons. At the same time, there is also disappointment that the pastoral has not even been read by many clergy, directors of religious education, institutions, retreat directors, and even Bishops.

The sad point in this mind-set is primarily that disabled people, as with other minority groups, are our evangelizers. Like the disabled people in Jesus' own time, they mirror for us a toughness in the face of adversity, an appreciation of life and all of its potentials, a sense of their own dignity and self-worth. It is these very qualities which equip them to be ministers to others - to bring the message of the Gospel - to bring others to a sense of their own worth.

The National Catholic Office for Persons With Disabilities (N.C.O.P.D.). P.O.Box 29113, Washington, D.C., 20017, (202)529-2933 (voice & TDD) is a reference center for all aspects of inclusion of and ministry with disabled persons.