A NEW HOPEFUL YEAR FOR DISABLED CATHOLICS IN THE UNITED STATES..............

One of a the few true high points of my personal and priestly life last year was my interactions with the National Catholic Partnership for Disability.  The NCPD and the indispensable work they do in advocating and actualizing for the 14 million Catholics in the United States who are Disabled and are in large measure being underserved, even excluded from full accessibility and inclusiveness in the Catholic Church.  Thirty Five Years and progressing since the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a Pastoral Statement On Persons With Disabilities and more than 32 years after establishment of the NCPD and its stellar efforts a great number of Dioceses and Parish lag far behind in implementing the 1978 teaching, which predated the Americans With Disabilities Act by a dozen years. The moral imperative to do what is right and just for all, and to equally and unconditionally address the empowerment and inclusion of those with Special Needs is a right inherent in our human dignity.  The Hope Disabled Catholics in the United States can have in 2014 is that the NCPD will continue to enlighten, inspire, empower, and underscore, a pro active voice and support for the accessible presence and  inclusive participation of Disabled Catholics in the Parishes and Dioceses of the United States.  A deeply impacted proponent for the NCPD and my mutual Disabled Catholic-Christians, I will proceed to unfold here on my blog, "Insights Into Life And Faith By Father Troy David Powers, reports on the NCPD and Disability Ministry as it is experienced and necessary in the American Church.  A lifelong supporter of the Disabled, as a disabled person myself from birth; I am becoming an ever more committed advocate for those with Special Needs, particularly in and by the Catholic Church, confirmed in that commitment by Pope Francis and Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, of Galeveston Houston, the Episcopal Moderator of the NCPD, who in his Visionary Award Address to the NCPD Partnership 2013 in Houston on November 2nd, declared himself a, "Cheerleader" for the Disabled.  I. like millions more are also leading the cheers for Cardinal DiNardo and the NCPD, in their advocacy  and leadership on behalf of Disabled Catholics throughout the Church in the United States...More Coming Soon And Very Soon..............Father Troy David Powers