November 18th marks the 38th anniversary of the
U.S. Bishops' Pastoral Statement on People with Disabilities:
"Concern for people with disabilities was one of the prominent
notes of Jesus' earthly ministry. When asked by John's disciples, 'Are
you He who is to come or do we look for another?' Jesus responded with
words recalling the prophecies of Isaiah 'Go back and report to John
what you hear and see; the blind recover their sight, the lame walk,
the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, dead men are raised to life,
and the poor have the Gospel preached to them.' (Mt. 11:3-5) Persons
with disabilities become witnesses for Christ, His healing of their
bodies a sign of the spiritual healing He brought to all people. 'Which
is less trouble to say, ''Your sins are forgiven'' or ''Stand up and
walk?'' To help you realize that the Son has authority on earth to
forgive sins' -- He then said to the paralyzed man -- 'Stand up! Roll
up your mat and go home' (Mt. 9:5f)....
"All too often, abortion and postnatal neglect are promoted by arguing
that the infant will survive only to suffer a life of pain and
deprivation. We find this reasoning appalling....
"It is not enough merely to affirm the rights of people with
disabilities. We must actively work to make them real in the fabric of
modern society....
"Accessibility involves far more than physical
alterations to parish buildings. Realistic provision must be made for
persons with disabilities to participate fully in the Eucharist and
other liturgical celebrations such as the sacraments of Reconciliation,
Confirmation and Anointing of the Sick. The experiences and needs of
individuals with disabilities vary, as do those of any group of people....Celebrating
liturgies simultaneously in sign language enables the deaf person to
enter more deeply into their spirit and meaning. Participation aids
such as Mass books and hymnals in large print or Braille serve the same
purpose for blind or partially sighted members."
Thirty-eight years later, we too find "appalling" the many hideous arguments for abortion and euthanasia, attempting to justify crimes against humanity
with outrageous claims that people are being saved from lives of "pain
and deprivation." Against these voices of death, our embrace of people with disabilities should be clear, bold, and loud.
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