Celebrations and Ministries for Persons with Disabilities
The United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops and the Diocese of Arlington are committed to affirming the
dignity of every human person and, in particular, to growing “in knowledge and understanding
of the gifts and needs of her members who live with disabilities” (USCCB,
Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with
Disabilities). Therefore,
the Office of Divine Worship works in close collaboration with the diocesan
ministry for the deaf and hard of hearing and the diocesan ministry for persons
with special needs. Provided below are resources from those ministries, as well
as resources from the USCCB.
“Parish
sacramental celebrations should be accessible to persons with disabilities and
open to their full, active, and conscious participation, according to their
capacity. … Full accessibility should be the goal for every parish, and these
adaptations are to be an ordinary part of the liturgical life of the parish.”
(USCCB,
Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with
Disabilities, no. I.3)
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Photo Credit: Joe Cashwell (Mass for Respect Life Sunday and Disabilities Awareness Month 2018)