Pope Video: “It’s ‘us’ not ‘them'”
In the Pope Video for December 2023 we are called to pray for those with disabilities.
For the month of December, the Pope’s prayer intention invites us to put an end to discrimination and to change “our mentality, opening ourselves to the abilities and talents of these people who are differently abled, both in society as well as in the life of the Church.” Let us pray for them with Pope Francis, “that people with disabilities may be at the center of attention in society, and that institutions offer inclusion programs that enhance their active participation.” “People with disabilities are among the most fragile among us. Some of them suffer rejection, rooted in either ignorance or prejudice, which then marginalizes them. Civil institutions need to support their projects through access to education, employment, and places where they can express their creativity. Programs and initiatives are needed that promote their inclusion. Above all else, big hearts are needed who want to accompany. It means changing our mentality a little and opening ourselves to the abilities and talents of these people who are differently abled, both in society as well as in the life of the Church. And so, creating a completely accessible parish does not only mean eliminating physical barriers. It also assumes that we stop taking about “them” and start talking about “us.” Let us pray that people with disabilities may be at the center of attention in society, and that institutions offer inclusion programs that enhance their active participation.”
Father Frédéric Fornos S.J, International Director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, backs up Pope Francis’ invitation: “the focus of this month’s Pope’s prayer intention is to promote the active participation of people with disabilities, building programs and initiatives that no one is excluded from, so that they might be supported, welcomed, integrated and recognized by society. This is what Jesus did – he welcomed everyone. No one felt excluded by him. We know this, but we find it difficult to live it. This is why we must pray, because it requires a change of mentality, of how we see things, beginning with our own way of seeing things. This is how, the Pope tells us, we can ‘open ourselves to the abilities and talents of these people who are differently abled, both in society as well as in the life of the Church.’”
Click on video link above to watch the Pope Video ».
