XXIV INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Ephphata! The Deaf Person in the Life of the Church
19-20-21 November 2009
FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS
By organizing this Conference devoted to the Deaf Person in the life of the Church, the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Workers has intended to send a strong message so as to underline the fact that the problems linked to the hearing disability of deaf persons, living members of the Church, deserve attention as was stressed by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, during the Papal audience granted to the participants of this XXIV International Conference, with these words: “you are not only the recipients of the announcement of the Gospel message, but are, by full right, also the agents, by virtue of your Baptism”.
In fact, the difference in this conference, with respect to others organized in the past on various types of disabilities, lies in the desire to stress the fact that hearing disabilities, purely sensorial, must necessarily be dealt with separately from other physical disabilities even when speaking of faith and religious practice.
RECOMMENDATIONS
For the full integration of deaf persons in the life of the Church, this Assembly proposes:
1
That there be a central office of the Church, on a national level, that handles and coordinates pastoral work for deaf persons.
That there be a central office of the Church, on a national level, that handles and coordinates pastoral work for deaf persons.
2
That each diocese have at least one priest with the necessary competencies in this specific sector so that he may be a reference point for deaf persons for the sacraments (confession- in particular), for the liturgy and for catechesis.
That each diocese have at least one priest with the necessary competencies in this specific sector so that he may be a reference point for deaf persons for the sacraments (confession- in particular), for the liturgy and for catechesis.
3
That there be a course for seminarians to orient them towards this field of special ministry and that they may be encouraged to deepen their knowledge of the world of the Deaf and possibly also learn sign language, should they show interest in this type of pastoral work.
That there be a course for seminarians to orient them towards this field of special ministry and that they may be encouraged to deepen their knowledge of the world of the Deaf and possibly also learn sign language, should they show interest in this type of pastoral work.
4
That there be greater attention, from bishops, to solving the problems of the Deaf so that in the diocesan program for pastoral and catechetical work room is also made for catechesis and pastoral work for and with the Deaf and that some deaf persons also be part of this ministry.
That there be greater attention, from bishops, to solving the problems of the Deaf so that in the diocesan program for pastoral and catechetical work room is also made for catechesis and pastoral work for and with the Deaf and that some deaf persons also be part of this ministry.
5
That in large cities there be a church/parish where the liturgy allows the active participation of people with hearing problems.
That in large cities there be a church/parish where the liturgy allows the active participation of people with hearing problems.
6
That parochial and diocesan programs for pastoral work devote particular attention to deaf persons and their families. It would be beneficial to have a deaf person and some people who are parents collaborate in the drawing up of same.
That parochial and diocesan programs for pastoral work devote particular attention to deaf persons and their families. It would be beneficial to have a deaf person and some people who are parents collaborate in the drawing up of same.
7
That there be a catholic website where current topics of faith are discussed. The site should also make it possible to follow the Mass with the homily. When ethical issues of political significance arise, the site should make it possible to better understand them.
That there be a catholic website where current topics of faith are discussed. The site should also make it possible to follow the Mass with the homily. When ethical issues of political significance arise, the site should make it possible to better understand them.
8
That deaf persons also be given the chance to attend courses on religious science organized by the diocese.
That deaf persons also be given the chance to attend courses on religious science organized by the diocese.
9
That, in order to minister to the needs of people who do not know sign language, of people who have become deaf or people who became deaf as adults, pastors make arrangements to furnish all those places where the liturgy is celebrated with video screens.
That, in order to minister to the needs of people who do not know sign language, of people who have become deaf or people who became deaf as adults, pastors make arrangements to furnish all those places where the liturgy is celebrated with video screens.
10
That on a national level, there be identified suitable institutions for the promotion of vocations and for the training of deaf candidates for religious life and the priesthood.
That on a national level, there be identified suitable institutions for the promotion of vocations and for the training of deaf candidates for religious life and the priesthood.
11
That the dioceses keep a register of certified interpreters that can be called to interpret the Mass or do other work required in church.
That the dioceses keep a register of certified interpreters that can be called to interpret the Mass or do other work required in church.
12
That, in order to remove all obstacles to the full social integration of deaf persons, as underlined by the Holy Father, there be implemented appropriate laws, conventions and protocols that aim to create those legal conditions that will facilitate the integration of deaf persons both in the training circuits and in the work circuits so that they, too, can bring their talents to fruition (Mt 25, 14-30) and contribute on all levels, each according to his or her own gifts and abilities, to the good of all of society.
That, in order to remove all obstacles to the full social integration of deaf persons, as underlined by the Holy Father, there be implemented appropriate laws, conventions and protocols that aim to create those legal conditions that will facilitate the integration of deaf persons both in the training circuits and in the work circuits so that they, too, can bring their talents to fruition (Mt 25, 14-30) and contribute on all levels, each according to his or her own gifts and abilities, to the good of all of society.
The experience of these three days, while it gives us joy and hope on the one hand, it must also serve as an incentive to us to work ever harder and better so the call, no, the cry of Jesus – EPHPHATA – Open! – may resound in the hearts of all the deaf, be they right next to us or scattered around the world.