Letters to the Editor
Note to the synod: Let’s improve accommodations for the disabled
In June I attended two of the synod meetings in the interest of providing a meaningful dialogue regarding persons with disabilities. The Social Justice Speak Up Session at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center was well organized and well planned out, but there was no planned opportunity to discuss persons with disabilities.
The Parish Life Speak Up Session at Immaculate Conception Parish in Annandale also gets good marks on presentation and organization. The booklet presented to the attendees provided a broad overview of programs and practices currently available in the Diocese of Metuchen and requested new ideas concerning the information presented.
There was but one reference for homebound and those who are disabled as an example of a larger concern. I presented the great need of persons with disabilities difficulty to fully participate in our Catholic Church, but because of time constraints could not elaborate.
I did not observe any other person with a walking disability (or any disability) at either Speak Up Session. I was advised by the diocesan Synod Secretariat as to what meetings to attend to address disability issues.
In the past the diocese had Father Medley chair the Deaf Ministry in the Department of Pastoral Life with a smaller program for persons with disabilities. After Father Medley was reassigned, Ms. Venue Majestic (still listed in June 2006 as active) provided a temporary part time program that was to be expanded into a full syllabus.
For some months (maybe years?) there has been nothing for persons with disabilities while the diocesan Web site lists an active ministry and in 2004 provided 1/17 of 1 percent (of total) funding toward that ministry. Persons with disabilities represent 15 percent of the community (based on 2000 census).
Of the 108 parishes in the diocese, less than 15 percent are fully accessible. There are several parishes that provide persons with disabilities full inclusion in their Catholic Community (most notably Our Lady of Lourdes, Whitehouse Station and St. Matthias, Somerset).
Persons with disabilities are not looking for special treatment; they prefer the opportunity to be included in the regular routine and perhaps some assistance to function as lecturers or extraordinary ministers of holy Communion.
Our faith community has begun to experience a severe shortage of volunteers coupled with our priest shortage. Persons with disabilities represent a genuine source of untapped volunteers that could well eliminate the volunteer shortage.
“ . . . just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me” (Matthew 25:40).
The Church of the Diocese of Metuchen has asked for the Catholic community to speak out. This letter will hopefully serve as a catalyst for others to add to the dialogue!
Don Boeri
North Brunswick
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*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law