Agenzia Fides

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - After praying the Angelus yesterday from the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Benedict XVI recalled the need to protect and promote the rights of disabled people with these words: "tomorrow we celebrate the International Day of the rights of Persons with disabilities. Every person, even with physical and mental limits, even serious, is always invaluable, and as such should be considered. I encourage church communities to be attentive and welcoming towards these brothers and sisters. I urge lawmakers and government leaders to protect people with disabilities and promote their full participation in society."
According to the latest published Statistical Yearbook of the Church, the Church in the world manages 17,223 homes for the elderly, disabled and handicapped, of which 655 in Africa, 5650 in America, 2,346 in Asia, 8,021 in Europe and 551 in Oceania. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 03/12/2012)