The face of welcome” “

In this year that Europe has dedicated to people with disabilities, the European Churches continue to put forward initiatives and ideas to sensitise the community to this subject (Cf. SIR 43/2003 and 45/2003). In Portugal and France, for example, … Portugal: an appeal from bishops. In this European year for disabled people, and during the week for life celebrated in Portugal from 18 to 25 May, the Portuguese bishops made a powerful appeal to political leaders, to the Catholic Church and other religions, to the voluntary sector, to the scientific community and to families to “recognise and protect” the dignity of people with disabilities. The pastoral note, drawn up by the episcopal commission for the family, recalls that 10% of people in all societies are born with a disability. It calls on families with disabled members “to face the difficulties with courage”, and on politicians “to ensure equality of opportunities and living conditions by legislative means, for example, in schools, town planning and the workplace”, so that disabled people may feel they are “full citizens who participate in the life of society”. The bishops also express the hope “that our communities may be open to voluntary work in order to help people with disabilities to integrate socially”. They also make an appeal to the scientific community, “in particular to biomedical research, to prevent disabilities, study cures, suggest new forms of assistance, of rehabilitation and of social integration”. Furthermore, parish communities are requested to be “welcoming”, to eliminate architectural barriers, and to use various means for catechising the disabled. France: 1,464 communities. Last autumn, a programme of research into handicaps was launched, the aim of which was to give an overall picture of the situation and its concomitant needs. It transpired that 12 million French citizens suffer from disabilities. Of these, many are elderly, says Philippe de Lachapelle, director of the Christian Office for Disabled People (Och). There are 30 thousand benefactors and 1,464 communities in 76 cities. “The problem is growing due to increased life expectancy, and is cruelly felt in families because – among other reasons – of a lack of adequate structures”. One of these structures is in Paris and is run by 13 religious of the Congregation Of the Hospitaler Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is known as the “House of St Germaine”, has 80 beds and houses women over the age of 18 with motor disabilities. With the assistance of some 50 staff, the religious attend to the disabled, treating them and encouraging them in such activities as painting on silk, weaving, mosaics, drawing, pottery, dress-making, basket-weaving and cookery. The goods produced by these activities are sold at annual fairs. Recently, a dancing display was also organised. “Our aim”, explained Sr. Consuelo, director of the centre, “is to welcome and respect. We accept disabled people from all religions. Not long ago we baptised two Muslims and a Jew, with the consent of their families. A volunteer worker in the house looks after the catechism and 15 of the residents animate the sharing of the Sunday Gospel”. Families have an important role and are invited “not to abandon their relatives but to come and visit them at least twice a month”. Sr. Consuelo added: “For our part, we propose visits to museums, gardens and shopping centres”, while a team of animators is at work on preparations for the end of year party the theme of which is Mexico.