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Disabilities advocates have challenged churches to accept that "We are not a full community without one another."
A statement prepared for the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee by the Ecumenical Disabilities Advocates Network (EDAN) urges a reconsideration of Jesus' parable of the great banquet in Matthew 22, and says: "When all are invited to this feast, to one church, the list will include people with physical and mental impairments and chronic illness."
The implications of this admission for worship include making certain that people with learning disabilities are not excluded on the grounds that "they do not understand", being careful over the choice of metaphors - for instance not speaking of being "disfigured by sin" - and including a range of sensory experiences rather than relying wholly on words.
Practical issues include making physical provision for people with disabilities, such as space for wheelchairs, large-print books, and assisted listening devices for those who are hard of hearing. However, in a press briefing held after the presentation of the statement, Rev. Dr Martin Robra, WCC programme executive for ethics and ecology, warned people not to think first of the "technological fix". "The first question, he said, is 'What would our community lose by not allowing people with disabilities to fully participate?'"
EDAN coordinator Samuel Kabue noted that making provision for people with disabilities requires others to make adjustments. "If we do not see [people with disabilities] as 'nuisances', we will be able to meet their needs."
Entitled "A Church of All and for All", the EDAN statement builds on the theological and pastoral contributions of disabled people, parents and those who experience life alongside them. Identifying the vulnerability of disabled people both to discriminatory social trends and manipulation by religious groups, it says that while disabled people "find strength in the care of Christ", many have found "that the church's teaching on this truth has been too limited".
Flawed theology?
The statement identifies negative perceptions of disabled people as objects of charity, sometimes based on flawed theological readings of the Bible. It urges Christians to make the link between the disabilities they may see around them today, and the disability of Christ on the cross. "Often, we choose to forego or forget the crucifixion, preferring to turn directly to the resurrection. Christ rose from the dead with his wounds."
Pastoral concerns are underpinned by theological reflection on the notion of humanity created in the image of God. Criticizing the idea that the mind or soul alone is in God's image, the statement suggests that "This understanding of human nature is both inherently elitist and dualist. It ultimately tends to exclude those whose mental or physical incapacities profoundly affect their entire personality and existence."
According to the statement, a more appropriate theology of disability takes account of the corporate nature of being "in Christ". "Christ was abused, disabled and put to death. Some aspects of God's image in Christ can only be reflected in the church as the Body of Christ by the full inclusion and honouring of those who have bodies that are likewise impaired."
This understanding of the Image of God has implications for the church's teaching on healing and wholeness. "Jesus did not make any distinction between social restoration and physical healing. Both always happened at any given time of healing. Consequently, the integral relationship of health, salvation and healing is an imperative for a holistic theological interpretation of disability."
However, the statement continues, "Disability in all its forms is a negation of God's good intention." Healing is "an act, event, system and structure which encourages and facilitates God's empowering, renewing, reconciling, and liberating processes in order to reverse the negation of God's intended good for God's creation."
It also speaks of the gifts which disabled people are able to bring: "We have become skilful in areas we never intended to master. We have become accidental experts with skills and expertise to share with the wider community and church."
Appealing to churches, the statement says that disabled people "do not need pity, or mercy, but compassionate understanding, and opportunities to develop their vocations, possibilities and abilities".
The full text of the statement, "A Church of All and for All" is available at: