The sacraments of initiation and persons with special needs

Abstract

Throughout this dissertation, I have stressed the importance of persons with special needs to be integrated in the Church and in society and their access to the Sacraments of Initiation. Persons with special needs are a challenge to the Church; however if they were excluded from the life of the Church, the Church would be incomplete. The Church cannot fulfil its destiny without learning deep and fundamental truths truths about vulnerability and truths about weakness and tenderness. It is important that these people are always considered as being capable of giving and receiving, and thus may actively participate in the life of the Church. It is extremely important that the good news of Jesus Christ be addressed to all. For this reason, all people including people with special needs, need catechesis for their spiritual lives. The Sacraments of Initiation are also vital in everyone's life, and they affect the life of every member in the Church. All the baptised attain their fundamental legal rights in the Church, including the right to the other Sacraments. These are well described in the canonical rights to the Sacraments. Moreover, it is relevant to teach the faith to people with special needs. In God's plan, the life of each human being, of each person - whether with special needs or not - has a unique, original and mysterious value. Finally, in my opinion, the best way to conclude this dissertation was to share my experience as the mother of a Down's child and the way we experienced life in our parish because of her disability. My experience proved that it is very important to accept the reality of life despite the difficulties one meets. People with special needs do not want pity, but rather they want to be treated with dignity and respect. They want to serve the community and enjoy their full rights as baptised people.