On January 29 and 30, 1993, Rome hosted a seminar titled «The Disabled Person as an Active Agent of Evangelization and a Force for Ecclesial Change», organized by the National Office for Catechesis, its sector on disability education.
The seminar was part of a broader collaborative initiative between the National Office for Catechesis and various associations, institutions, and movements—including Faith and Light—to foster a new consciousness and sensitivity within the Church about the participation of disabled people in the life of the Christian community, beginning with faith formation itself.
Faith and Light was represented by several members: Fr. Enrico Cattaneo (NA), Fr. Vito Palmisano (BA), Fr. Enrico Colombo (MI), Lucia and Mariangela Bertolini, Anna and Giulio De Rita (RM), and Sr. Lauretana Pelagallo (NA).
We present here a summary of the proceedings, prepared by Mario Narni Mancinelli and Fr. Damiano Lanzone, published in the magazine «Light and Love» by MAC (Apostolic Movement of the Blind).
The opening address was delivered by theologian Fr. Pierangelo Sequeri on the subject «Fraternal Relationship with God». Sequeri approached the theme from an anthropological perspective, examining the relationship that forms between disabled and non-disabled people. He observed that disabled people are often reduced to objects of pity or condescension. This creates an immature relationship that strips them of their dignity and responsibility—that is, of their capacity to be an active participant in the relationship and to take their own initiative within it.
The relationship must be built on equality and reciprocity. Exchange is possible between disabled and non-disabled people—the passing of messages, signs, and content. This requires what Sequeri called an «interpreter's language», constructed through three models of relationship:
- a maternal subsidial relationship, which extends—for as long as needed—the maternal womb's function of affection, care, and protection, yet ultimately leads to separation, the only gesture that makes a person an adult;
- a paternal subsidial relationship, which ensures assistance in observing norms and entering into society;
- a fraternal subsidial relationship, which makes full integration and equality possible.
From a theological perspective, Sequeri continued, fraternal relationship rests on a fundamental truth: every child of God is always adopted. This foundation must be lived and expressed in three forms of witness: the unmerited character of God's care for us, the care we have received, and the care we exchange with one another.
The second presentation was given by Fr. Henri Bissonier on the topic: «How to Address Obstacles and Develop Strengths in Catechesis for People with Disabilities».
When approaching a person with a disability, Bissonier emphasized, one must recognize their inherent human worth, avoiding attitudes that encourage infantilism or a childish presentation of religion.
A person with intellectual disability must always be treated according to their chronological age.
Every person draws on multiple avenues to knowledge and communication: intellectual, moral, spiritual, instinctive, emotional, and others. When a disabled person lacks the intellectual pathway, they compensate through the others. Faith can be communicated to someone with intellectual disability—one simply needs to find the right language: aesthetic language, and especially symbolic language. Faith formation, like any other communication, should unfold not linearly but «concentrically», expanding gradually from the central core outward to encompass the full content of the message.
Crucial, Bissonier said, is the role of the community as the place where the person with intellectual disability must experience these symbols. Special catechesis, therefore, must be integrated into the community not merely to be «inside» it, but to create relationships of real reciprocity.
Bissonier also urged that catechesis for people with intellectual disabilities include space for prayer formation. He strongly cautioned against three serious mistakes: catechizing without leading to the sacraments, under the pretense that people are not capable; giving sacraments, including the Eucharist, without preparation; limiting catechesis to sacramental preparation alone.
Results
- The discussion highlighted the Church's pastoral need to value less the measure of efficiency and more its own mysterious dimension.
- The current lack of catechesis for disabled people in local parishes must be overcome through the contributions—in the spirit of service and authentic ecclesial communion—of those working in this field.
- Theology of suffering deserves deeper treatment, not as a separate topic addressed only in relation to disabled people.
- Sacraments for disabled people should be administered with discernment. For this reason, the community must deepen its understanding of the sacrament's place in life, setting aside controlling attitudes toward them.
On how to engage parish communities, Fr. Sergio Pintor offered these concrete steps:
- Activate integration not only of disabled people but also of those with expertise, within community life and pastoral projects.
- Connect the parish and its ministries with families, specialized centers, and trained personnel—understood as ministries themselves.
- Form catechists, clergy, and pastoral workers in specialized centers.
- Revive the role of catechesis in forming respect for the dignity of oneself and others.
- Enable all people, including disabled people, to live out their missionary calling.
- Ensure that insights from this coordination effort, born within the Catechesis sector, reach the whole of pastoral ministry.
In closing, Fr. Sergio outlined what could be done immediately:
- Bring the seminar's content to local parishes. Participants must ensure it spreads widely.