Marginalization and Exclusion of the Disabled from the Areas of Social and Religious Life

Abstract

Despite many efforts aiming at minimizing the areas of social exclusion of the disabled they still do not have a possibility to actualize their plans and aspiration in such spheres as education, career or culture. As research shows, also parish communities are not prepared to fully include disabled persons. In Gospel according to St Matthew Jesus assures us: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11.28). These are words that assure the disabled that they always have access to Jesus. Then, priests and lay faithful responsible for organizing parish life should meditate to find out if some negligence on their part does not prevent the disabled person from unifying with Jesus.