Disabled persons

The Latest

Pope Francis celebrates the International Day of Disabled Persons at the Vatican on Dec. 3, 2022.

Pope Francis: The Church has a duty to welcome people with disabilities

Dec 3, 2022

By Courtney Mares

“There is no inclusion if it only remains a slogan, a formula to be used in politically correct speeches,” Pope... Read more

People from more than 20 countries take part in a video call hosted by the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life on May 19, 2022.

Vatican hosts synod listening session with disabled Catholics

May 20, 2022

By Courtney Mares

‘I’m in debt to people with disabilities,’ said Cardinal Grech. ‘One of them led me on the path of a... Read more

Pope Francis meets with the Seraphic Institute of Assisi on Dec. 13, 2021.

Pope Francis: The value of a person is not determined by ability

Dec 13, 2021

By Courtney Mares

In a meeting with disabled children and their caregivers at the Vatican, Pope Francis said that if disability or illness... Read more

Why is gendercide wrong and screening for Down syndrome okay, advocates ask

Mar 4, 2017

Is it ok to abort a baby who has been diagnosed with Down syndrome? What about if you find out... Read more

How assisted suicide discriminates against the poor and disabled

Feb 28, 2017

By Matt Hadro

While physician-assisted suicide is promoted as empowering terminally-ill patients, it could result in the poor being coerced to take their... Read more

Police crime tape closes the entrance of Tsukui Yamayuri En care home on July 27, 2016 in Sagamihara, Japan.

Why Japan won't release the names of its knife attack victims

Sep 13, 2016

By Mary Farrow

In late July, the worst mass killing in Japan since World War II left 19 people dead and 26 people... Read more

Pope Francis marries young deaf couple at Casa Santa Marta

Jul 20, 2016

Pope Francis does not ordinarily celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony. But on July 9, he made an exception for a... Read more

Pope Francis greets participants of the Convention for Persons with Disabilities at the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican, June 11, 2016.

Pope Francis calls it – discrimination against the disabled is 'ugly'

Jun 11, 2016

By Elise Harris

No single person is more valuable than another, especially when it comes to those with disabilities, Pope Francis said on... Read more

Pope Francis greets a woman in a wheelchair Nov. 23.

'Love transforms everything,' Pope tells sick, disabled

May 17, 2014

Pope Francis met with nearly 5,000 members of apostolates dedicated to the sick and suffering on Saturday, encouraging them to... Read more

Pope Francis greets the elderly and disabled persons following his Holy Thursday Mass at Rome's Don Gnocchi facility

Pope urges faithful to serve with radical love of Jesus

Apr 17, 2014

By Elise Harris

During his homily for Holy Thursday’s Mass at a center for disabled persons, Pope Francis reflected on how Jesus washed... Read more

Pope Francis at the Wednesday general audience on Sept. 25, 2013.

Pope: Our own dependence should spur empathy for weak

Feb 20, 2014

At a Vatican workshop addressing aging and disability, Pope Francis reminded participants that every human being is always dependent on... Read more

Pontifical academy to address science, ethics of aging

Feb 19, 2014

As the global number of elderly increases, one Vatican advisory group is meeting this week to discuss the many challenges... Read more

Members of the International Order of Alhambra.

Catholic fraternity offers support to intellectually disabled

Jul 12, 2013

By Kevin J. Jones

The International Order of Alhambra, a Catholic fraternal order, has served the intellectually disabled youth and young adults of the... Read more

Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski appears at a Nov. 2012 Vatican press conference.

Recognize Risen Christ in those suffering autism, Vatican says

Apr 2, 2013

The Vatican is observing World Autism Awareness Day by calling on Christians to recognize the Risen Christ in autistic people... Read more

CNA

Switzerland approves controversial pre-natal test for Down's Syndrome

Jul 31, 2012

The government of Switzerland has sparked controversy by legalizing a new prenatal test that detects the presence of Down’s Syndrome... Read more

Fortnight resource combines religious liberty, outreach to disabled

Jun 27, 2012

By Michelle La Rosa

Two national Catholic groups have released a list of suggested activities to defend religious liberty and reach out charitably to... Read more