The Pope has denounced the "stigma" suffered by people with disabilities who are treated as "strange bodies" in society and has denounced the discrimination they suffer that is the result of prejudice and ignorance.
"Continuing to consider disability – which is the result of the interaction between social barriers and the limitations of each person – as if it were a disease, contributes to keeping their lives separate and fuels the stigma against them", the Pontiff pointed out.
Francisco has made these considerations in his message in view of the Day of Persons with Disabilities, convened by the UN in 1992 and which is celebrated on December 3.
The Pope considers that "discrimination" against these people is still too "present at various levels of social life" also in the Church where there is a "lack of spiritual care" that sometimes too "manifests itself in the denial of access to the sacraments". The Directory for Catechesis of the Catholic Church makes it clear in this regard that there can be no form of rejection.
In this sense, it has pointed out that people with disabilities are "full members of the ecclesial community" and has urged that "all, without exclusion or discrimination" have the possibility to exclaim: ‘I am the Church!’ For the Pope, the Church "It is not a community of the perfect, but of disciples on the way, following the Lord, in need of his forgiveness"writes the Pontiff.
Francisco has emphasized the difficulties that people with disabilities have had to face during the pandemic when noting that they have created "particular disorders in the world of the disabled". The Pope was referring to "extended home stays, distance learning, or unsecured services".
In this way, he has had a special thought for those who live in "residential centers and the suffering caused by forced separation from loved ones". "In these places the virus has been very violent and, despite the dedication of the staff, it has claimed too many victims. Know that the Pope and the Church are close to you in a special way, with affection and tenderness.", it is finished.
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