Timothy: Preparing for The Holy Eucharist within the Community when Communication is Non-verbal

Abstract

Abstract Persons with intellectual disabilities are still regularly refused access to the Eucharist, as illustrated in an article in the Washington Post. Although Pope Francis and several Bishops’ Conferences and the new Directory for Catechesis (n°269–272) have made it clear that Catholics with disabilities have a right to participate in the sacraments as all other members of the ecclesial community, many church leaders still refrain from allowing persons with profound intellectual disabilities to access the Eucharist. This article investigates the experience of a pastoral team that prepared First Communion of a young boy with profound intellectual disabilities. The experience raised practical theological, pedagogical and pastoral ecclesial issues to be solved. These issues structure the article.