The International Academy of Catholic Leaders is organizing a unique event on September 28 to promote the participation of people with disabilities within the Church. This event, in line with Pope Francis’ call in Fratelli Tutti, aims to raise awareness and encourage the inclusion of people with disabilities in the ecclesial community.
The event will feature a panel of experts who will offer a comprehensive reflection on disability and its inclusion in the Church. José Antonio Rosas, general director of the International Academy of Catholic Leaders, underlines the importance of this event as a starting point towards a true welcome within the Church. “We want this initiative, promoted by the Academy and supported by our friends and former students, to be an instance that promotes a culture of participation and inclusion of people with disabilities, welcoming the call of the Pope, who reminds us that in the Church there is room for everyone,” said Rosas.
Among the speakers will be the Archbishop Emeritus of Madrid, Carlos Osoro; the former director of the National Rehabilitation Service of the Argentine Republic, Grisela Olivera; the former councilor of the Madrid City Council, Carmen Sánchez; and the co-founder of Don Bosco on Wheels, Aldo Chavarría, among others.
For Carmen Sánchez, this event is an important opportunity to remember the dignity and inclusion of people with disabilities: “The International Conference on Disability: Pending Challenges in the Church will address fundamental issues such as dignity, inclusion and social justice from a faith perspective. The Catholic Church emphasizes that, regardless of the capacities or disabilities of each person, we all possess intrinsic dignity, since we have been created in the image and likeness of God.”
Sánchez also highlighted the relevance of the figure of Pope Francis as a key promoter of the rights of people with disabilities: “Pope Francis stated in 2016: ‘The world will not be better when it is made up only of supposedly ‘perfect’ people, but when solidarity, mutual acceptance and respect for all grow.’ He insists that people with disabilities should not be seen as ‘others’, but as an integral part of the community.”
The event will take place at the following times, depending on the region:
- 09:00 to 11:00 (Mexico – Central America)
- 10:00 to 12:00 (Peru – Colombia – Ecuador)
- 11:00 to 13:00 (Bolivia – Venezuela – Dominican Republic – New York – Washington – Paraguay)
- 12:00 to 14:00 (Chile – Argentina – Brazil – Uruguay)
- 16:00 to 18:00 (Portugal – Equatorial Guinea)
- 17:00 to 19:00 (Spain)
To participate, it is necessary to register at the following link: www.liderescatolicos.net/discapacidad/
The International Academy of Catholic Leaders, present in 50 dioceses in 14 countries, has graduated more than 35,000 students in face-to-face and virtual programs, consolidating itself as a reference for training in Social Doctrine of the Church.
