Participation and the Profoundly Disabled: “Being” Engaged—A Theological Approach

Abstract

Thinking about profound disability is being ever deepened by refinements to key principles such as inclusion, friendship, belonging, missing the presence of the disabled person, acceptance, and human rights. This article adds the principle of participation to this thinking. Participation can be understood in two ways: first as joining in, in which both common understandings and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching demonstrate that participation, especially in liturgical practice, goes beyond notions of citizenship or the requirements of justice or rights of people with disabilities. Second, and, more significantly for people with profound disabilities, participation as being engaged highlights that the disabled witness to understanding worship as God's work. Moreover liturgy and worship are not only about bringing needs and desires into God's presence: they are about bringing the self.