Vatican events to focus on living fully with disability

People with disabilities will be the focus of two events at the Vatican in June, organised by the Kairos Forum with the blessing of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Bishop Paul Hendricks, Bishop for Disability for Catholic Church in England and Wales and Jean Vanier, founder of L'Arche movement.

An academic symposium, Living Fully 2016: Disability, Culture and Faith, will take place on Thursday 23 June. Following that, on the weekend of 24-26 June a conference: Living Fully 2016: Disability, Culture and Faith: A Celebration will take place. The event includes a parallel programme for people with learning difficulties, enabling them to celebrate and promote their vital place within the Body of Christ.

Participants will be discussing what it means to live life in all of its fullness and for disabled people and their loved ones to live well together.

The organisers say: "The question has not simply to do with pastoral care and good relationships; it is an urgent call to respect and protect the lives of people who are disabled. Is the cry for active participation and friendship, often expressed by disabled people and their families heard? and how is the Church to respond to this cry in a way that offers hope and promise to, and a celebration of, each person?"

"The ever-growing field of disability theology provides an opportunity for all to encounter and explore the Christian Gospel through the life experiences of disabled people, their families and loved ones."

The conference and symposium will provide an opportunity for disabled people, practitioners, leading disability theologians, such as Professor Hans Reinders, Bill Gaventa and many others, from across the world, to meet, discuss and pray about these important issues.

For more information and how to book see: www.livingfully2016.com or by calling Cristina Gangemi, director of the Kairos Forum on 01883372114 or contact cgangemi.kairos@gmail.com