MADISON — “We call upon people of good will to reexamine their attitudes toward their brothers and sisters with disabilities and promote their well-being, acting with the sense of justice and the compassion that the Lord so clearly desires.
“Further, realizing the unique gifts individuals with disabilities have to offer the Church, we wish to address the need for their integration into the Christian community and their fuller participation in its life.”
These are quotes from the Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic Bishops on Persons with Disabilities issued in 1978. Since then, the bishops have followed up with other documents that continue to affirm the dignity of every person and assure participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of Church life.
The National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) was established in 1982 to support and implement the Church’s initiatives for people wih disabilities and their families.
Through multiple approaches, NCPD supports national, diocesan, regional, and parish ministries as they attempt to maximize their ability to provide services.
Diocesan review
“One of the ways NCPD does that is through assisting dioceses with a diocesan review,” said Fr. Larry Bakke, director of the Apostolate to the Handicapped in the Diocese of Madison.
At the request of the Apostolate to the Handicapped, Dr. Nancy Thompson of the NCPD visited the Diocese of Madison from March 3 to 5 for a series of meetings with diocesan personnel and focus groups.
“The purpose of these meetings was to review services for Catholics with disabilities and their families provided by the diocese through the various offices and agencies,” said Father Bakke.
The information gathered by Dr. Thompson, along with her recommendations, will be an integral part of the apostolate’s strategic planning over the next few months, he said.
Input from many people
“The apostolate’s Advisory Council is also conducting a survey to learn people’s needs and hopes for how the apostolate and parishes in the diocese can better serve their spiritual needs,” said Father Bakke.
This survey was included in the February apostolate newsletter that is mailed to over 3,000 people.
“We invite the input of many people in supporting the Church’s mission to its members with disabilities, ensuring their participation to the fullest in the sacraments and parish life, with opportunities to offer their gifts and receive ongoing faith formation,” said Father Bakke.
Review process
In doing the diocesan review, the NCPD studies what is currently in place in the diocese. It reviews the diocese’s pastoral plan, diocesan guidelines, board of education policies, and any other documents for references to accommodation or inclusion for people with disabilities.
The NCPD reviews the diocesan website and print materials to come to a better understanding of what is being done in relation to this area of ministry.
Then an NCPD staff member visits the diocese for a series of meetings with the bishop and representatives of other areas of diocesan ministry such as religious education, family life, schools, social services, and liturgy.
Dr. Thompson’s visit
The visitor to the Diocese of Madison, Dr. Nancy Thompson, is the director of programs and diocesan relations for the NCPD, with its national office in Washington, D.C. She has worked with the NCPD for eight years, but has been involved with the organization for over 25 years.
“I have a son with multiple disabilities,” she said in an interview. “The NCPD helped with setting up a catechetical program when we lived in Iowa.”
Dr. Thompson was sent to a national NCPD conference. She learned more about the organization and eventually served on its board and was its chair.
She holds a doctorate in applied ministries from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif. She has worked in Catholic education, as a parish pastoral associate, and as a diocesan director of religious education. She has been a volunteer in disability ministry.
In her review, Dr. Thompson said she hopes to “point out the positive things that are being done” in the Diocese of Madison and affirm them, while discovering the hopes and needs of people with disabilities and their families.
Within a month, she will present a report accompanied by recommendations to Bishop Robert C. Morlino and Father Bakke.
For more information
For more information on the Apostolate to the Handicapped, visit www.apostolatetothehandicapped.org or call 608-328-8371.
For more information on the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, visit www.ncpd.org or phone 202-529-2933.