Disabilities

The Latest

Veronica Webb leads a seminar for parents in fall 2023.

Notre Dame Law grad pilots legal program for parents of children with disabilities

Mar 21, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Veronica Webb launched the Special Education Law Clinic in November 2023 to help parents of children with disabilities. Read more

Pope Francis meets on April 29, 2023, with children and adults who are visually impaired and have other disabilities at a Catholic institute in Budapest, Hungary, dedicated to Blessed László Batthyány-Strattmann.

Catholic organizations host seminars on disability and inclusion in the Catholic Church 

Mar 13, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

The University of Notre Dame’s McGrath Institute for Church Life and the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) are hosting... Read more

Pope Francis meets on April 29, 2023, with children and adults who are visually impaired and have other disabilities at a Catholic institute in Budapest, Hungary, dedicated to Blessed László Batthyány-Strattmann.

This is Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of December

Dec 1, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of December is for people with disabilities. Read more

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California Jewish families fight for equal rights in education of disabled children

Aug 15, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

After a judge dismissed their case, the families are continuing their suit against a law that allows families with disabled... Read more

Young boy reads from Renewed book series by Ascension Press

This Catholic group supports church leaders, parents to catechize children with disabilities

May 20, 2023

By Zoe Romanowsky

As autism rates continue to increase, the National Catholic Partnership on Disability seeks to support Catholic leaders, catechists, publishers, and... Read more

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 met with the Italian Autism Foundation in the Vatican's Clementine Hall on April 1, 2022.

Pope Francis advocates for inclusion of people with disabilities in society

Apr 1, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope underlined that the Church in particular is called to help those with disabilities to “make their voices heard.” 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

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A girl asked an archbishop why God allows disabilities. Here’s his response.

Oct 3, 2021

By Katie Yoder

A Kentucky archbishop still remembers when a little, 6-year-old girl asked him, “Why was my brother born with autism?” Read more

Paralympics Games 2016, basketball, USA vs. Turkey

How Paralympics prime time coverage can help ‘normalize’ persons with disabilities

Aug 30, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

A Catholic disability advocate praised an increase of television and media coverage for this year’s Paralympic Games, saying it will... Read more

Catholic doctor calls for independent inquiry into DNR notices for COVID-19 patients with learning disabilities

Feb 14, 2021

A Catholic doctor called on Sunday for an independent inquiry into reports that COVID-19 patients with learning disabilities have been... Read more

Pope Francis, pictured on Oct. 19, 2014.

Pope Francis: Disabled people must have access to the sacraments, Catholic parish life

Dec 3, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

People with disabilities must have access to the sacraments, and as missionary disciples, the ability to be full and active... Read more

The Royal Courts of Justice, London. Editorial

UK court order requiring contraceptive device for disabled woman is ‘deeply problematic’, says bioethicist

Apr 23, 2020

A British judge’s order requiring a contraceptive device be implanted in a woman with learning disabilities against her will is... Read more

Pope Francis with Peter Lombardi at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, March 28, 2018.

‘Heart of hospitality’ best way for Catholic parishes to serve the disabled

Mar 5, 2020

By Kevin J. Jones

How can parishes be welcoming to people with disabilities, and form them in the Catholic faith?  Read more

Tim Tebow and a guest at Rome's Night to Shine, Feb. 4. 2020.

At 'Night to Shine,' Tim Tebow brings the prom to Rome

Feb 5, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

What most Italians know about proms, they learned from watching American sitcoms or dubbed-over versions of 90210. The "prom" is... Read more

Pope Francis with Peter Lombardi at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, March 28, 2018.

Pope Francis: Disabled people are not in humanity's minor 'leagues'

Dec 3, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis said Tuesday that disabled people make important contributions to humanity, and called discrimination against them a sin. The... Read more

By Zaitsava Olga via Shutterstock.

Legal assisted suicide puts people with disabilities at risk, report finds

Oct 16, 2019

Leaders in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops applauded the National Council on Disability for its recent research on the... Read more

The Royal Courts of Justice, London.

Disabled woman who narrowly avoided forced abortion to get forced contraception

Oct 10, 2019

A judge in England has decided that a disabled woman who is pregnant will be fitted with a contraceptive device... Read more

The Royal Courts of Justice, London. Editorial

UK court orders forced abortion for disabled woman

Jun 21, 2019

A British judge has authorized doctors to perform an abortion on a pregnant Catholic woman with developmental disabilities and a... Read more