Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic Bishops on Persons with Disabilities

Pastoral Statement on Persons with Disabilities, United States Catholic Conference, November 1978

The U.S. Catholic bishops call the Church to recognize, defend, and fully include persons with disabilities in spiritual, social, educational, and civic life. Grounded in Scripture and Catholic social teaching, the statement affirms the dignity and rights of disabled people and urges the whole Church to move from charity to justice and genuine integration.

The statement urges the Church at every level to move beyond sympathy to concrete, justice-based inclusion so that persons with disabilities can exercise their baptismal rights, serve with their talents, and develop their potential. The bishops express realistic optimism that, through pastoral effort and public advocacy, the Church can and should secure full participation and dignity for all persons with disabilities.

Core principles

• Human dignity and right to life: Every person is a valued human being with inviolable rights. The presence of disability must never justify abortion, neglect, or denial of ordinary medical care.
• Acceptance over pity: Disabled persons need sincere love and full acceptance, not token charity.
• Justice and advocacy: Rights to education, employment, housing, public access, and pastoral care must be actively defended and realized.
• Mutual enrichment: Persons with disabilities contribute spiritually and practically to the Church; inclusion benefits the whole community.

Parish-level recommendations

• Open door policy: Pastors and lay leaders must ensure parishes do not exclude people with disabilities.
• Practical access: Modify buildings (ramps, toilets, seating), provide alternate facilities or home ministry where needed, and include accessibility in new construction.
• Liturgical access: Make liturgies accessible (sign language, large-print/Braille worship aids, adapted rites) and train/support disabled ministers.
• Integrated catechesis: Offer adapted evangelization and religious education while avoiding unnecessary segregation; use specialized catechists as needed.
• Social support: Provide visits, transportation, reading, and other practical assistance; involve families as partners.

Diocesan-level recommendations

• Coordinate and strengthen programs: Evaluate existing diocesan services; establish or expand offices and ministries where needed.
• Training and policy development: Train clergy, religious, seminarians, and lay ministers; develop policies and practical strategies; serve as advocates and liaisons with public agencies.
• Education integration: Foster collaboration among Catholic special and regular schools, provide in‑service training for teachers, and build linkages with public and private agencies.

Pastoral-Statement-of-U-S-Catholic-Bishops-on-Persons-with-Disabilities.pdf