Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Sydney (Agenzia Fides) - To help disabled persons take an active part in the life of the Church and express their talents and potential, the Bishops’ Commission for the Family and Life has issued a special Pastoral Document with the title “I have a story”, date of release 8 September. Work on the document, titled I Have a Story prepared by the Disability Working Party, began in 2002. Consultation undertaken last year in every state and territory surveyed more than 350 persons with a disability, their families and friends on how parishes can promote participation - what barriers exist and good news stories that demonstrate active participation in parish life.
The Commission says that 19% of all Australians suffer from some sort of disability or infirmity and that 6% of these have recourse to private personal assistance. Accordingly about one fifth of the people in every parish may affected by some form of disability. The parish must strive to carry the good news of Christ to these people and involve them in church activity and make sure they are not neglected . The document includes testimony of disabled people who already take an active part in church life and offers suggestions on how to build a parish community where everyone feels accepted and appreciated.
The document was presented today 8 September at St Christopher's Cathedral, Canberra at the end of a special Mass. The President of the Commission Bishop Eugene Hurley and Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference President Archbishop Francis Carroll, Archbishop of Canberra were present. An electronic version of the document and an order form for the printed booklet, as well as versions in Braille, large print and audio cassette are available at the Bishops’ Conference website. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 8/9/2004 lines 31 words 315)
