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Inclusion in church services: A celebration of diversity in Vienna!
Viennese Auxiliary Bishop Franz Scharl calls for the idea of inclusion and celebrates barrier-free services for people with disabilities.
Inclusion in church services: A celebration of diversity in Vienna!
On December 3, 2024, Vienna Auxiliary Bishop Franz Scharl celebrated a special service in St. Stephen's Cathedral on the occasion of the International Day of People with Disabilities. This service was open to blind, deaf and people with multiple and intellectual disabilities and was fully interpreted in sign language. Scharl emphasized the importance of integrating people with disabilities into the community: “People with disabilities belong at the center of our society and church,” was his urgent appeal. In addition to showcasing the inclusion of people with disabilities, the event also featured musical performances, including the “Saitensalat” harp team, which features members with Down syndrome.
Including celebrations and challenges
The trade fair offered a platform on which people with disabilities could actively participate. They organized the service, made intercessions, performed pantomime and played music. Traian Tamas, the head of Vienna's hospital and nursing home pastoral care, pointed out that the effort to create an inclusive atmosphere is valuable but often exhausting. “An inclusive service like this is still not a given,” he said, emphasizing that preparation and dedication are necessary to break down barriers and promote understanding. One believer remarked: “Often the journey is difficult because we are not understood.”
In an impressive sign of solidarity and openness, this service was celebrated in one of the most famous churches in Vienna, which was loud kathpress.at shows that there is still a lot to do to achieve inclusion in all areas of life. However, the commitment of everyone involved was a clear commitment to a society in which everyone, regardless of their abilities, is heard and respected. The event reflects the long-term vision that people with disabilities must not only be accepted, but also actively integrated into the community, as a report also stated that such events should not just be a one-off highlight, but a required norm to promote coexistence in society.