Social Analysis
The Christian Church can be seen as a form of ableism. Things that the church can say are being seen as ableist. We know from the Bible that Jesus healed people. Jesus healed lepers, women on their periods, blind people, and sick and dying people. Jesus healed these people by laying his hands on people and healing them.
In our lives today, when people with disabilities come into the Church, they sometimes feel offended. People say that the Church is not open to people with disabilities. Even though Jesus accepted all people, disabled people now say that the Church is trying to “heal” them as if something is wrong with them. Disabled people are also rarely or never seen serving at the altar, reading in mass, or leading in the Church. People with disabilities who enter the Church are usually hit with one of these three statements. The Church will say, “You’ll be healed if you just believe,” “You are such an inspiration,” and “You’ll be healed in heaven.” When the church says these things to people, it can make the person think there is something “wrong” with them.
“My body is fearfully and wonderfully made. I am not the before picture in a prayer makeover, or the symbol of sin used to guilt anyone else into repentance,” While this message may have been unintentional, it has continued to be communicated by the way churches ignore the needs of disabled people and fail to see how the lived experiences of people with disabilities could be beneficial to the whole community.
The intersection of Catholicism and the fight against ableism reveals a connection between faith, ethics, and social justice. Jesus made everyone equal, so this is something that people everywhere should carry with them today. Throughout the social analysis, I identified the themes of Catholic Social Teaching that I think best relate to my topic of Ableism. In the world today, people are not following Jesus’ actions, so how can they call themselves Catholics? Through advocacy, education, and inclusive practices rooted in the principles of compassion and solidarity, Catholics actively work towards dismantling ableism and creating a more equitable and inclusive society where all individuals are recognized, respected, and valued for their inherent dignity as children of God. In this journey, the Catholic community has the opportunity to be a beacon of hope and compassion, which embodies the teachings of Christ by advocating for the rights and dignity of those with disabilities, and thereby contributing to the creation of a more just and inclusive world for all.