The Catholic Church’s Concern for People with Disabilities

Abstract

The Catholic Church, in its activities, is guided above all by its mission to support every person. It particularly supports people with disabilities. It shows that, despite their dysfunctions, weaknesses and limitations, such people should be entitled to the same dignity as those without disabilities. The task of caring for the faithful has been entrusted to the bishops. In order to reach out even more to the faithful, the Church directs its assistance through the action of institutions under its authority. The Church’s teaching mandates the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the life of local communities such as parishes and in the life of institutions at supra-parochial level. This article aims to give a cross-sectional overview of the teaching and forms of support that the Catholic Church offers to its faithful, and in particular to people with disabilities.