Inclusion of People with Disability in the Church Community Life in the Perspective of Disabled Individuals: The Role of the Priest
Inclusion of People with Disability in the Church Community Life in the Perspective of Disabled Individuals: The Role of the Priest

Summary/Abstract: The physical presence of people with disability in the extent of the parish community is basedon two main components: (I) activities undertaken by a priest to organize religious life, including thosefor people with disability, and (II) activities undertaken by people with disability within the parish com-munity. The aim of the article is to answer the question: What is the importance of a priest in the con-text of the presence of people with disability in the church community? The empirical article is basedon results of the nationwide qualitative research that was conducted among people with disabilities(using the FGI group interview; targeted group selection; the participants of the study were people withphysical disabilities, deaf and hearing impaired, blind and visually impaired, and people with intellectualdisabilities). The analysis of the data obtained allows us to put forward the thesis that the inclusion ofpeople with disability in parish life is a consequence of a close, personal relationship with a priest whohas at least basic knowledge of the physical, mental, and sometimes also intellectual capabilities ofa faithful person with disability. The results obtained may constitute a contribution to pastoral discern-ment regarding the factors influencing the presence of people with disability in the Church community.

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