Orthodox perspectives on disability focus of international consultation
Since the mid-1980s, the Orthodox Church in America’s Resource Handbook for Lay Ministries—known today as Parish Ministry Resources—has been a pioneer in making available a variety of articles and materials concerned with ministry to those with disabilities. Published for well over three decades by the OCA’s Department of Christian Service and Humanitarian Aid, Resources has consistently encouraged parish communities to make every means available to minister to those with special needs, whether with regard to handicapped accessible facilities or the incorporation of everyone into the varied aspects of parish life.
These and related topics were highlighted with renewed commitment at a theological consultation focusing on Orthodox Christian perspectives on disability, convened in Volos, Greece September 28-30, 2015. The consultation was organized by the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network [EDAN] in cooperation with the Volos Academy for Orthodox Theological Studies.
“The conversation on disability is not about some part of the Church; it is about the life of the Church as a whole,” said Nathan Hoppe, an American who for many years has served as a long-term missionary with the Orthodox Church of Albania. “Disability, therefore, needs to be reflected as a problem of the health of the Church. In a healthy Church, all members pray and work together; they do not condescend toward other members.”
In his address, His Eminence, Metropolitan Ignatios of Demetrias stressed how the “Incarnation of the Word of God assumed human nature as one of the sources of the uniqueness and dignity of every human being.” Within this context, he asked how it could be “possible for a Christian to adopt consciously any inhuman attitude that discards the unique character of any other person?”
Reflecting on 1 Corinthians: 11, Prof. Rastko Jovic from the Orthodox Theological Faculty of Belgrade emphasized that the authenticity of the Eucharist, the central event in the life of the Orthodox Church, is measured by inclusion of all—including those with disabilities—in the Eucharistic meal and not by the quality of the ritual or the quality of wine and bread. “There is no Eucharistic feast if there is no love expressed in the relationships of the members of the church’s body.”
Torill Edøy, EDAN’s coordinator for Europe, underscored this by stressing that the establishment of an environment sensitive to the needs of the people with disability must serve as the common vision for the Church’s nature and mission.
The Orthodox understanding of the creation of human beings in the image and likeness of God, based on patristic interpretations, was emphasized throughout the consultation’s sessions. Participants were encouraged to engage practically with disability ministries. Accessibility of buildings, as well as theology; assisting and adapting to special needs; equipping clergy and laity to embrace ministry to and with persons with disabilities; and actively engaging people with disability in the life of the Church were the themes in focus.
Dr. Samuel Kabue, EDAN coordinator, said that despite several challenges, the possibility exists to introduce curricula on disability in theological institutions around the world.
“It is possible to introduce studies related to disability in Orthodox theological seminaries, faculties and academies as a separate area of study, or even as a topic infused into core courses or programs of Orthodox institutions,” said Dr. Kabue, who went on to stress the importance of theological encounters with Orthodox Christian theologians and the importance of sustaining dialogue on disability.
A variety of resources are available from EDAN.