The document “Integral Human Development of People with Disabilities” was born out of a series of online Consultations involving the Local Church of 30 countries in sub-Saharan Africa to learn about the challenges that disability poses in the various contexts of the region as well as the responses that the Church has developed to address them.
Representatives from bishops' conferences, related commissions, Caritas and other institutions such as religious orders or Catholic organizations participated, including some people with disabilities who are personally involved in the life of the Church. The document says, “experts from various disciplines and regions of the world, including Africa, from academic and ecclesial circles were also consulted.”
The result is a pastoral document that, starting from the Church’s fundamental principles and good practices implemented in the sub-Saharan territory, aims to identify appropriate strategies to respond to the challenges that disability poses in its different dimensions (physical, psychological, social, and spiritual).
This work, the paper says, “aims to assist in envisioning the future with hope, recognizing and valuing the seeds, the shoots, and the fruits that already exist”.
Integral Human Development of People with Disabilities, Sub-Saharan Africa is downloadable online as well as available for printing and is currently at your disposal in four languages: English, French, Portuguese, and Italian.
🎧 You can also listen to the audio podcast of the document:
The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development – in collaboration with the Sisters of the Poor of Bergamo present in Kenya – has also developed a pastoral kit to spend a day walking together with people with disabilities. The kit offers two moments of prayer: a pilgrimage and Holy Mass, and is available in three languages: English, French, and Portuguese.
