Pope to disabilities congress: True inclusion, full
participation
(Vatican Radio) An estimated
650 participants attending a congress for people with disabilities, gathered in
the Paul VI hall on Saturday to be greeted by Pope Francis where he also
answered questions from a number of those gathered.
The congress organized by the
Italian Bishops Conference was taking place on the occasion of the Year of
Mercy jubilee celebration for the sick and persons with disabilities, and on
the 25th anniversary of the Sector for Catechesis for the disabled run by the
Italian National Catechetical Office.
In his prepared remarks, the
Pope said, that this 25th anniversary offered them the chance to renew their
commitment to ensure that disabled people were fully welcomed in parishes,
associations and ecclesial movements.
During the encounter Pope
Francis took questions from a number of participants. One of those gathered was
Fr Luigi who came from a parish in the South of Rome. He explained to the Pope
that sometimes even in his parish not everyone has the capacity to be really
welcoming and asked the Holy Father, how was it possible to educate people so
they are able to welcome everyone? The Holy Father respond by saying that there
was a richness in diversity and it was important to remember that in order to
move forward.
Another participant Serena
told the Pope that she at times was not aloud to take part in certain
celebrations with other people in her parish, due to her disability and
asked the Pope to explain to her why this could be so? Pope Francis replied by
saying many people are the subject of discrimination and that was a terrible
thing. He added that sometimes there are reasons for decisions taken, but told
Serena that she as a disabled person had the possibility to be better and that
everyone had the possibility to grow.
Following the event the Holy
Father greeted the many people with disabilities gathered, many of whom had
come bearing gifts for him.
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