What follows are NOTES taken from Nov.19-21,2009 at the Vatican Conference: EPHPHATHA! THE DEAF PERSON IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH.  A few “notes” about these NOTES.

1)      The Planning Committee of ICF (The International Catholic Foundation for the Service of Deaf Persons) asked Fr. Tony Schuerger from Cleveland and me, Fr. Joe Mulcrone from Chicago, to be note-takers for the Conference. Both of us felt very honored to be asked.

2)       These are “NOTES”  I took from the presentations, NOT the presentations themselves! We will have to await the publishing of the presentations by the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers.

3)      Because these are “NOTES”, they are subjective, written by me from what I saw and I heard. You can balance what I took in against what Fr. Tony put down.  There are several times I make a personal observations and I always note these are MY comments

4)      A last word of Thanks to MR. JAMES “JIMMY” SMITH who kept our computers running throughout the three days!.

Morning notes were lost;  this is what I remember. (Please consult Fr. Schuerger’s notes for a more complete reporting of that morning’s presentations. His notes are available from www.icfdeafservice.org.) The theme of JOURNEY is critical to understanding how we have gotten to this point. Medical model of deafness has moved   from thinking of deafness strictly as a disease which we need to cure and deaf people as having no social usefulness to people who have health needs and want to be consulted  in treating those needs:.  Education: from  seeing deaf people as unable to learn to professors, people operating in a professional way at every level of education. Culture: from no inclusion in “normal” society to a group with its own identity, customs, traditions all related to ASL as a unique language which is not just ,”bad English” or “English on the hands.” Religious Education:From “can’t learn the truths of the Faith”  to catechists who are deaf. Religiosity: from “incapable of receiving sacraments “to ordained priesthood. Journey(there are seven “journey stories” in John’s Gospel. They begin with a better translation of the 1st chapter. “The Word is with God”, NO! The Word is TOWARD  God. (Thanks to Archbishop Patrick Kelly for this insight, along with so many others, especially the theme of “journey” used throughout the Conference.)  In the morning, DEACON PAT GRAYBILL had used the image of Moses standing at the end of his “journey” looking into the Promised Land. Pat suggested maybe that’s where we are right now.  In the morning, MARY ANN BARTH & CHELO MANERO  had given a shared paper on The Psychological World of Deaf People. More powerful than the presentation itself (which was excellent; copy of the talk is on the Catholic Office of the Deaf website:www.deafchurchchicago.parishesonline.com) was  this lasting, powerful  image: two women (deaf/hearing; Mexican/North American; backgrounds and cultures very different) SHARING their knowledge, their visions, their experiences and putting them into an understandable, eye-opening treasure! FR. SAVINO CASTIGLIONE (chaplain to the deaf in Rome) giving the history of how people looked at deaf persons as deficient in all aspects of life. Simply consider the experience  of the Holocaust where the intent was  to destroy an entire population of deaf people, along with so many other populations considered as “deficient”. The representative of WHO(The World Health Organization) pointed out that 80% of profoundly deaf are middle class to  the poorest in poor countries. These people have no real access to technology: Cochlear Implants, hearing aids, email, VP, etc.  These people have little education, no laws to protect them, receive inadequate health care, have a  80% rate of unemployment, are sexually & physically abused and raped at twice the rate of their hearing peers, are often the first casualties of war, and often leave incredibly isolated lives.  Yet, if all the people in the world who have a hearing loss were put  together  they would make up the 4th largest country  in the world.  Italy government  minister: more needs to be done, especially in terms of mainstreaming education. Bishop Redrardo: acknowledge that we (the Vatican) are not perfect for access (no CARTservices or Power Point capability). ARCHBISHOP KELLY: until we see each other and ACCEPT each other as truly “OTHER”, then we have not understood the meaning of God’s message for us. If we only see someone as a copy of ourselves and not as a unique individual, then we do not appreciate the real purpose of God’s creation. (Note:  from me, Fr. Joe Mulcrone: The writings of MARTIN BUBER argue for this, too.)  Statue  of the Madonna of Silence(statue of Madonna del Silenzio in the parish for the deaf in Madrid, Spain): strong image used during the talks.

Mon. afternoon session:FRANKIE BERRY, deaf  pastoral worker from Ireland. Frankie is part of a pastoral team working with the deaf. DR. ANTONIA CLAVERIA PUIG,M.D.(Barcelona, Spain) gave a very detailed talk re:   Medical descriptions of deafness.  Emphasized that  deafness creates sensory deficiency that has certain outcomes in the life of deaf people.   The dignity of the person as a human being must be safeguarded. PROFESSOR MARCEL BROESTERHUIZEN(Psychologist, Louvain, Belgium): RE: deaf people, the psychological disorders related to chemical mental health issues: schizophrenia, autism, psychoses, etc., rates among deaf people do not vary significantly from rates for hearing individuals.  On the other hand, there seems to be an increased level of socio-psychological issues, behavior disorders, etc in deaf people.  ATTACHMENT:  when the relationship between  mom and child  is not normal this will often cause problems later in life. Lack of security on the part of the child regarding the mom’s love for him/her causes either OVER-attachment of child with mother; or, NO attachment and over-developed sense of curiosity and exploration. Pedagogical style that most  effectively works: the educator captures well the needs, feelings, and thoughts of the child. Mutual confidence develops between child and educator. The child knows the educators are ready to help; there is co-regulation of behaviors. Clear communication re: expectations. Sensitive responsiveness requires a mutual adaptation and a high level communication . Disorder in this communication has severe consequences.  Communication where it collapses means that the communication becomes a matter of giving commands, orders. No real communication re: inner life! No learning about inner confidence and no trust of others. Parents become unpredictable for the child and visa versa. Child feels that the parents will be unavailable emotionally for the child.  Leads to an insatiable need for intimacy or the on-again off-again attempts at false intimacy.   Where the child grows up in a family where there is no communication,  the child may feel more like the family pet than a son/daughter. A pet may be fed, cared for, but no communication or sharing of information.   That child will feel himself/herself as “different”. Leads to frustration, but the child cannot or is not allowed to talk about/express about his/her anger. So, a typical response is to run away whether physically  by either actually leaving or absenting himself/herself from family life(JOE note: or by substance abuse, inappropriate sexual behavior, violence, etc.)  Meeting other deaf can help the deaf child feel less isolated.   However, a “wall” develops between the deaf child and the family that each side resists tearing down.  Between the hearing parents and deaf child, what is really important is a greater communication leading to a deeper bond. Many hearing parents admit the need their children have to be with other deaf children. However, that group can’t replace the family structure.   What can happen when the only  “important”group are deaf  friends,is that the adult parental structure gets eliminated. Deaf children lose any confidence in hearing adults or the hearing world.   Religious development: at a certain stage of development, an image of God becomes powerful, but distant. This is a God who I can’t communicate with as a deaf person.   The deaf person is not pathological because he or she is deaf. However, that deaf child has a greater struggle to maintain and achieve a balanced approach to the world.  The deaf child ‘s success depends in the most important  way on the FAMILY! Deaf people and hearing people live in different worlds. Meaning they perceive the world in different ways. Deafness is not a disability. We must allow the deaf child to manage his deafness himself/herself.   Those choices will NOT be the same that a parent would have made.   Parents have to be open to the world of the deaf child and not be defensive.  All deaf people do not value what all the hearing people value. Cochlear Implants are a good example.  Now, young deaf make their own choices. (CHOICE! The world of deaf and hearing young people today. CHOICE as THE value in society today.))   Young deaf  adults say the schools did not succeed in teaching  them  the skills necessary to make effective life choices.   Deaf are very suspicious of genetic research. Deaf people are “worried” about this experimentation. (JOE comment: Of course, because once again hearing people are making decisions for them; issue of powerlessness for deaf people.)    Deaf do not think of deafness as a disability. Deafness means belonging to a minority that has its own language, culture. This is common throughout the world for deaf people; same awareness that they were normal but put down by hearing people. How does young deaf person see himself?   (JOE note: SENSITIVE RESPONSIVENESS, a key element in pastoral ministry!)

Deaf people have often felt put down by hearing people which is reinforced by educators. The task is to Improve SENSITIVE RESPONSIVENESS. CHOICE is  a predominant  and valued experience among young people, and certainly among deaf young people.  Ability to identify myself with a group and experience that group’s acceptance is also critical to development of the self.

PROFESSOR MARCO RADICI(M.D., Rome): this is a “family”. Deafness 120 million people, 300 million patients. Statistics re: hearing loss comes from western world. People with hearing loss can still produce great intellectual products. Parents of deaf children sometimes want their children to be in a deaf community as opposed to CI.  Our communication seems more enabled by technology, but we have no time. Social systems are not as welcoming or are as strong as they used to be.  The deaf person tries to enter a society that more and more is a “society of strangers”.   What is the risk to helping deaf people become more acceptable or employable? 1 in 1,000 children are born deaf.   Every year, 1-1,500 children in Italy are born deaf. Screening has spread across the world. Sweden CI goes on both ears as soon as possible.

PROFESSOR FRANS CONINX (audiologist, Germany): audiologist, teacher of deaf. Differences among generations in terms of treatment of deafness: knowledge and practice have changed.  20 years ago: hearing loss normally identified at age 2-4.Few tools for objective diagnosis available.  Hearing aids were amplifiers and could not be adjusted to individual needs. CI had not yet begun. Now, all the above have changed. Process and function of the auditory brain can be dealt with.   ATTACHMENT in the family can be facilitated by CI; also widens social networking. Later, these children will have a free choice and how they want to live and participate in society.  They may choose to live as a hearing person. Or to become bi-lingual using both spoken language and sign-language.CI means options for the child which depends on the choices of their parents. Hearing will enable understanding. Acoustical hearing aids, frequency shifting hearing aids, CI, implants into the middle year.  Important to compare past to present not transfer experiences from the past into the future.                                                                                             SR. ANTONIE ARDATIN(Teacher of deaf people, Indonesia). Religious Education in Indonesia.  The Spirit of Jesus is working in EVERYONE.  70 schools for deaf in Indonesia. Catholic deaf school supported by people in the Netherlands. Deaf women from Netherlands joined her Order.  Our pupils are from different religions. 88% Indonesian are Muslim. Rest are Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist. Now seeing more and more deaf with other disabilities.   Vocations to this ministry are dwindling. In Indonesia, law says you cannot marry a person of another religion. Muslims MUST marry Muslims; can’t marry a Catholic/Christian.   Deaf students don’t understand this situation in terms of falling in love and wanting to get married. Because of the laws of Indonesia, a Catholic deaf person can’t marry anyone except another Catholic. Deaf  Catholics in Indonesia  don’t seem to be involved in Church.                                  FR. JAIME GUTIERREZ VILLANUEVA(deaf priest,Madrid,Spain): 100,000 deaf people in Spain.  MOVIEMENTO CULTURA CHRISTIANA.: what he and others are involved in. Ordained a priest ten years ago.   Became deaf at 12 years age. CI-7 years ago. I work with both deaf and hearing communities. This is complimentary and has benefits for both. Transfer my experience of hearing community to deaf work; marginalization causes suffering to both sides. My goal is a TRUE INTEGRATION of deaf people; requires lots of resources and work.   Misunderstandings are possible, but a mutual advantage for both communities. Deaf cannot set up separate communities within the Church. Integration of the deaf individual is possible in the community and in the Church. Deaf totally integrated into parishes in Spain. Combined evangelization of the deaf and hearing: the TOTAL integration, the human dimensions are involved in this effort. Salvation is reflected in Jesus’ respect for each person as a unique individual. Pope Benedict’s view: the wholeness of the individual is paramount. First step with the deaf is awareness, promoting the awareness of the potential in every   deaf person. We belong to one, singular Catholic Church. Most deaf live in poor, underdeveloped countries. Deaf must take charge of their lives, protagonists, not spectators.  The deaf have capability of making themselves heard.  Promotion of integral view of life; we need human resources to work for this. How? In and through Jesus! Need services, resources, places-money!!!!!!- for this goal to be achieved.                                                    SANDER BLONDEEL: deaf artist. Born deaf because of complications of birth. One other brother: deaf and MR.   Studied at a Catholic deaf school.   Taught us school subjects, but also taught us to be independent.  Studied photography. Having an interpreter made all the differences in my education.    MS JENNIFER NG PAIK YENG:  Malaysia. Became deaf, now have CI. Full time job in private business. I volunteer as a Catechist.  “REACH” is the deaf ministry. 700 deaf Catholic; 131,000  Catholics total in Malaysia. Only serve 20 Catholics. Many deaf are not aware of deaf ministry.   No real support of the deaf ministry by the Church. BEC ( Catholic evangelization outreach in Malaysia emphasizing  neighborhood ministerial groups) is not appropriate to the deaf.   Church still feels it knows better than the experience of the deaf themselves. No liturgical support for the deaf. Deaf are not really included in the Liturgy; interpreters and deaf are considered a bother.  Priests who can sign are not matched to the deaf community; interpreters are NOT supported by the Church structure. The INTERPRETER still plays a big role in the connection between the deaf person and the Church.  Deaf Ministry should be set up to have a full-time pastoral worker with focus on the needs of deaf people themselves.

DISCUSSION by participants in the audience:  PASTORAL WORKER from MALTA. Signed Mass. Interpreted Mass. More Bible study needed. PRIEST FROM PARISH IN ITALY: combined ministry with hearing/deaf people together. Need materials for religious education of deaf children for sacramental preparation. Questions  re: marriage prep for deaf couples. Not enough Rel Ed.or wedding prep materials in Italian or appropriate for the deaf.  PRIEST FROM GUINEA, AFRICA: we must move away from the idea of “curing” deaf people in the Church’s life to a much more pastoral approach.   Must  get an “invitation” to the Church leadership. PRIEST FROM CHILE, SOUTH AMERICA: Concepcion, Chile.   The Church must be an agent to help deaf people in their needs.

 

SUMMARY: SOCIAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, MEDICAL aspects of deafness were addressed today.  Some key words/concepts:   Deepened awareness, animate, give hope, Pentecost, social promotion, solidarity, with a prayer to our Lady of Silence. Our Lady of Silence, because Our Lady only four times speaks, “here I am”, “Magnificat”, Jesus in the Temple, Cana(“do what He says”). Nothing more from her. Nazareth is the cradle of the great silence, contemplative silence, the Cenacle, a praying silence, a redemptive silence. Silence tells us, teaches us, it is NOT empty,  but the word that contains the WORD. Mary had great disappointments with God IN SILENCE.  Mary has a great school of silence.  The family is critical to this understanding of Mary’s teaching.   Use all possible means science gives us. The thought we have for tonight.: Great abundance of the first day.          

Friday morning: RICHARD KUSH(deaf, Chicago,IL)  led the prayer.    FAMILY & DEAF PEOPLE:  MRS. MAURA BUCKLEY(deaf, teacher and catechist with the deaf, Dublin, Ireland).  Born deaf; “journey” experience how deaf child of hearing parents became  40 years a deaf mother. Studied at Cath. U in DC. Husband deaf. Three hearing children. Over 30 years as a teacher of the deaf. A Deaf grandparent, too. Her experience compared to other deaf families in Ireland.  Her parents were motivated to communicate. Parents knew that education was CRUCIAL to her SUCCESS. ORALISM was the prevailing philosophy of education, but that was not the experience of all.  Books had an important place in the home. Many religious books in our home.  STORIES (Christmas, Easter, Bible) helped me. Role of parents is CRUCIAL.   Method of education needs to be examined.   Parents are the first to pass on values and FAITH to their children. In Ireland, choice: mainstreaming or specialized school for the deaf.  Ireland: parents want deaf children mainstreamed. The future of institutional schools is in doubt.  The desire to keep the deaf child in the family and make communication effective. However, in mainstream situation the child may not have all the tools the child needs for education and communication and is sometimes  limited. Outside the classroom, the child is isolated, lonely, and development of social skills suffers. Inst. Schools give the deaf child more attention. Inst. School uses sign-language so the child gets the FULL classroom experience. Irish sign-language opens up the child’s mind. Both systems have their strengths. Key: ACCESS TO LANGUAGE!  In Ireland most public schools are Catholic schools. Multi-faith environment is more and more the case in these schools.  Now Parents are the primary source of religious education. If parents are hearing/ children deaf, then problems. Rel. Ed suffers. Teachers are spending less and less time for religion.  Deaf community began in the deaf schools.   Deaf work time is with hearing people. Deaf social time/church: deaf people. Funerals in deaf community have big turn outs, plus sports.  New deaf community village to be established in Ireland. Village project will provide residence for deaf adults, deaf blind, plus social and worship options. Not a deaf ghetto, but a place of community interaction with hearing people. Deaf community in Ireland is thriving.  Deaf people to be married participated pre-marriage course, once/year, in Dublin; deaf travel from all over Ireland to this course and teach them how to raise children, especially raise them as Catholics. Technology (again!) was helpful!  We included God in our everyday lives. Faith introduced early in child’s life by daily prayer and images of the Faith. Accepted our sons for who they were; respected their opinions; enjoyed their company; reassured them we loved them, no matter what; prayed with them; invited them to bring their friends home. Passing on faith is difficult: alcohol, drugs. Parents: time on internet, music, time spent nights out. Deaf parents complain: kids faces are always glued to some screen somewhere: internet, tv, twitter, tweet: No social interaction.  Recent scandals have hurt the Church and its power to influence culture.   Teenagers are embarrassed by their parents and certainly don’t want to go to Mass with their parents.  Deaf parents want to know the meaning of Church and Church life, but need it explained in a way they can understand.  Deaf people prefer to go to Deaf Church.  ISL has improved understanding of the Liturgy themselves. Deaf readers, Communion ministers, ushers, choir: important.   Churches & deaf: limited contact because they have no access. Deaf parents.   We were included in the weddings of our children by sign-language. Losses happen; my youngest son died, 31, when cancer took him. One year married.  My son faced his journey with courage. Family and Church carried him through.  Priest helped him. He worked with deaf-blind adults in England.Fr. Cyril (deaf priest)travelled to be with him, and that meant a lot.  I felt it hard to pray because of my anger and frustration at his death. Many deaf came to the funeral. Deaf people shared in the family’s grief and faith. Three grandchildren hearing interact with us. (Deaf grandparents and their hearing grandchildren. Important for passing on traditions and faith.)

MR AND MRS. ALBIERO:Italian deaf parents with hearing child. Husband:  Learned our prayers from our parents who were deaf and religious. Experience of deaf: having to travel for worship. Son translates for parents, but people(hearing) give son a bad look because he is signing. So he struggles with doing this.(Their son is a wonderful, enthusiastic young boy.) Hard to participate in Church (across the board, greater need for trained, religious interpreters; same comments from yesterday!)W ife(also deaf): we read the Gospel, especially about the nets thrown out to ALL peoples….even deaf people! We need to have courses organized to help us with our faith.   Proposals:

1 Seminarians: encourage them to learn sign-language and deaf culture.  They learn sign-language; as priests, they will attract deaf people.

2 Many deaf people who have problems: marriage, Confession. We need help to understand Confession.  Deaf people knowing there is a priest who signs will come.

Third: theology course for us to evangelize our own community.

4Web-site: deaf people can learn about the Bible, Liturgy, Mass translated with homilies.

5 Think about ALDA group; use CART services for the above issues.

6 Allow deaf people to participate in parish activities.

7  The Bishop  is responsible(with interpreter) to know  the community(deaf) and its needs.

St. Paul said each person must do what he can to proclaim the Gospel.

 

MR AND MRS LAMANO(Italian): he(LUCA) is deaf; she is hearing. Two small with third on the way. Husband signs well.  Institutional school for the deaf; my parents gave me the faith during teenage years. I rejected the faith because no one used sign-language; temptations in my life. Growing up I met my wife. I teach adults. My wife comes from a strong Catholic Church. NEO-CATECHUMENATE Movement.  I did not feel a belonging to the Church. Before marriage: wife said, you should approach the Church.   I wanted to feel FREE!   Children, how will we raise them???  EPHPHETHA effect! Lord employed  Chiara to speak to me. We have the LORD among us! Without Faith, the Church, our marriage would not last.  Neo-Catechumenate movement has been very helpful, BUT…again!!!...need interpreter for meetings, trainings, etc!  Need to get Confession from priest more than once a year.  CHIARA,wife: marriage is hard(two cultures, mind-sets, view-points trying to merge); two different understandings of Christian marriage.  I become Luca’s voice and ears, but don’t want to be his interpreter.  But my participation in the life of the Church suffers if I am always the interpreter. I am here as a wife to support him, but need the Church’s support for me as a wife to live my faith.

ARCHBISHOP REDRARDO: these sharings are a window, a gate to help us to a greater understanding

MR AND MRS. COMMAZETTO: Italian hearing parents with deaf child.  Three children(1 hearing; 2 deaf).  Harmonize various needs of family life. Trying to balance priorities: busy lives, economics, then add deaf children. Rehab.; speech therapy; medical issues; red tape; harmonize all this into “family”. Time-woosh!!! When to rest? Going to Church becomes the struggle.  Exhausting. Emotional impact of having deaf children, going to Church and having to deal with bias even in the Church. Not supported by Church.  Making decisions: CI, rehab, special ed, medical, on and on.   Tough to stay faithful.  Many couples have split.  Having to learn ISL; education demands, have to commute for school. Going to Church has become even more difficult. Our local parish has not supported to us.  No Catholic education for our child. Now our 3rd child, deafness is easier to manage. Raul, 1st child, deaf, did not get the Rel.Ed. as needed.   We had Raul mainstreamed into a Rel. Ed program.  Many deaf  adults  had a bad experience with the Rel. Ed.   Having a deaf catechist working with a hearing catechist was most helpful.  A mother of a deaf child said that having a hearing Catechists and a deaf catechist worked very well.  Now I assist.  We work with the Catechists; have other deaf kids who only sign. No basic prep for catechists.  We have two communication assistants and two Catechists.  My concern to families who are isolated and don’t know the possibilities for Rel. Ed. The Church has to do something for FAMILIES with priests who can be involved in the journey (again this theme)with these families. Oliver Sachs: Deafness makes all that is familiar strange, and all that is strange familiar.

ARCHBISHOP REDRARDO: wow!!!!  Experiences can’t be questioned, because this is the life that is being lived!!!! Difficulties force us to reflect. Life if easy, then is not challenging. The difficulties we don’t invent, but are there. Believers will have difficulties with the life of the Church. The “force” that comes from above is in our hearts.

ARCHBISHOP ZYMOWSKI: year 2,000. JP II: “on behalf of JESUS CHRIST, the Church is engaged in creating a welcoming home for you the non- disabled, but even more for people with disabilities .”

Papal Audience: walked all around the back of St. Peter’s, climbed stairs   (marble, again!), to the Clementine Room (built by Pope Clement VIII. Room where the private wake for John Paul II was held before the public wake at St. Peter’s.) Deaf in front; Pope arrived.  Goal of all the labors achieved: we had come to Rome NOT to see the Pope, but to have the Pope see us.  (Pope’s remarks available on ICF website.) Great!

(Lunch followed with the group from Spain who wanted to discuss World Youth Day(2011,Madrid) plans. Excellent plan for deaf young people(16-35). University set up specifically for deaf; dorms, meals, workshops, etc. We bring our own interpreters, but they supply sites, speakers, etc. Special committee for all youth with disabilities.  I was very impressed by the detail and extent of planning the group from Spain have already done.)

AFTERNOON:  watched the video from the Pope’s audience. Pope: EPHPHETHA! Many issues deaf people must face: sociological. Medical,  educational, pastoral; exchange of experience; the witness by the deaf themselves.  Ephpheta… from Mark’s Gospel. Jesus addressed person symbolic signs, “open up”. Gestures of Jesus, “loving attention”. Lifts the man feel His closeness.  The eyes of the heart. The response of the crowd is important. Jesus heals physical deafness;  another kind of deafness, the deafness of our spirit that is a barrier that blocks us from relationships with one another and with God.   We must listen, a humanity that is in relationship with God.  The experience of people deaf is not always that of welcome, but that prejudice still exists.  These are unacceptable.  The first schools of the deaf were set up in Europe by the Church.   We cannot forget the severe situation where they still live in developing countries. Access to primary health care is denied in these countries.   International promotion  for the dignity and rights of deaf people.   The Church accompanies those in suffering.

Paper by PROFESSOR KAZMIERA KRAKOWIAK (chair of Special Education, University, POLAND): (Paper was read and summarized by another speaker; too long for entire paper to be presented.)  In Poland, deaf have gotten help. Priests in Poland have worked with the deaf. Teaching of religion in special schools. Significant involvement with the deaf community by priests. Today’s needs of the deaf community in Poland are multiple.. The damage to the ear does not restrict to the person’s faith, but there may be an impoverishment of faith.   We must overcome barriers that limit religious development.  Language of faith is necessary for full involvement in the sacramental life of the Church.   What forms of communication prevent the poverty of the mind? Priestly assistance and care responds to the isolation of the deaf person.   People came out of the spec. education came out with ability to communicate. Often deaf people were socially isolated and spiritually deficient.   Poland now demands a new context.   Tasks of the priests include the deaf.   Recognize the main needs of deaf people, so that people in pastoral theology can consider:

GOOD RELATIONSHIPS depend on mutual love. This starts with the family all members using a common language. To develop properly, children need a language that helps the child communicate with the family.   Hearing parents/deaf child: the child has the ability to understand, but the gap is significant. There is no access to the parents’ language, and therefore the child does not spontaneously acquire language.   Obvious: gap, then the ability to code meanings causes difficulties in reading and writing. Cause of lack of language: damage to the hearing, reduced amount of contact and interaction with others. Parents: what to do???  Various approaches to language functions; you can read my ten pages in my article.    Special needs of individuals with hearing damage and pastoral care.  Must think about all the aspects of their lives. Priest is “spiritual parent”.  Inability of the child to hear, the family must accept its responsibilities. Many of these parents need to have contact with a priest. Parents try to understand their true situation. Needs of the families:

a)      Need for spiritual support for parents who experience of trauma(getting the diagnosis) to overcome their negative emotions. Seek to control the sense of injustice, guilt, despair.

b)      Extended support during the time when the child has a disability.

c)       Need for assistance in transferring religious education. Rel. Ed is not enough, but teaching of religious language.   Family has to have a religious life.

FORMATION: special procedure/special pastoral care needs to be adapted.

a)      Need for Pastoral Care for individuals with hearing problems who are mainstreamed. They must be introduced into parish community.

b)      Improve methods of catechesis that can be adapted to the child’s needs.

c)       ) Full participation of deaf children in the Liturgy of the Mass. Opening up the hearing community to the needs of hearing impairment.

The loss of hearing does not only impact the deaf person but everyone with whom he/she interacts. We participate in their disability. We must learn to communicate with them. Opens us for new ground for interaction with other people.  Taking on this task requires a change in OUR attitude about deaf and ourselves.  A catechesis that the Word of God is effective if we allow it to be.     ARCHBISHOP KELLY(Archbishop, Liverpool, England): How have the deaf helped ME as a bishop to perceive the word of the Lord?   Bishop’s job: proclaim JESUS IS RISEN! St. Paul: Christ died to take away our sins. He was buried, and rose again on the Third Day according to the scriptures.  Deaf people teach me to receive the Good news with my EYES. In the tomb, there is no faith. It is in seeing(tomb empty) that the women, then the Apostles come to believe. That is what “eye people” teach me. Jesus also forgave the Apostles: Peter, others fled. Jesus comes to them, then His sign to them is “peace” and SHOWS them Hi wounds, and Jesus Risen says, “Look, See”.  Forgiveness is to be seen, not just heard. Thomas is not there.  Jesus comes to find Thomas, and says, SEE my hands. Place your hands. Thomas SEES mercy, forgiveness, not hears, not thinks, but SEES God’s mercy and forgiveness. Thomas says, “my Lord and My God.” I must show mercy that is touched. I promise to see the Jesus who touches and who touches us. Not the Jesus we think about, but the Jesus we see, taste, and touch. Mercy is seen (must) and felt in the CHURCH. The Church needs all of us; we need one another.

CYRIL AXELROD(deaf/blind priest now working in London);  touch is how I see.   What is the link the church and deaf people? Five points:

a)      Deaf wisdom in and through their sign-language: this is the bridge for communication. This is a GIFT; the Church must use and cherish the language as a gift for the entire Church.

b)      Pope needs to learn sign-language.

c)       The Church must encourage  the deaf to become priests, join religious life. Support  for this must be included in the life of the Church.

d)      Vocation of the deaf  in the life ofthe Church must supported  with interpreters, etc.

e)      Pastoral workers with the deaf; many work alone, independently. Knowledge of what pastoral work means needs to be gathered together in the Church so that the message can be passed onto to the bishops and all interested in this work. CANON LAW: priest MUST use voice/people must hear your voice. Deaf priests?????   Canon Law must change: PEOPLEMUST FEEL FREE TO USE THEIR LANGUAGE IN THE SACRAMENTS.            

 

MS.NICOLE CLARK: pastoral worker, interpreter, AUSTRALIA.  Lots of liaison work with the Archdiocese. 15,500 deaf in Australia. Three topics:

a)      Leadership for deaf people: no priests or Sisters working with the deaf in Sydney. We now have a deaf Director. The Archdiocese has become aware that they need a professional interpreter in place; everyone has to deal with this fact.

b)      Access: using professional interpreters in our diocese. Interpreters need to learn the language. Lay people not religious, so we have to do the research necessary to learn the right way to sign certain concepts and vocabulary.

c)       Self determination: big concern in the deaf community. Key to confidence, fulfilled life.  Deaf themselves make the decisions re: the goals of the community.

d)      Quote: “The body of Christ presumes a place for everyone; the Gospel of Jesus Christ demands a place for everyone.”

SR. VITTORINO(deaf Sister, Italian, catechist): the Lord accompanies us on this Mission with the deaf. Trust the Holy Spirit; don’t worry. Take the Gospel to the deaf. Relate the Gospels to: a)current events in their lives, b)take advantage of the kerygmatic moment using the Scriptures, c) help the deaf interiorize the Gospel, and d) liturgy. Then we say, “you(the deaf) go to evangelize.” We use emails, text messages, DVDs, everything. The more we experience the community, we experience Christ.     This year we try to organize “events” for the deaf. Because I am deaf, the deaf can identify with me. Biblical course should be used with the deaf. Jesus needs the deaf. Yes, you the deaf have to become the workers in the vineyard of the Lord.  Jesus trusts you, the deaf, to evangelize, the deaf community. We need the bishops’ conference to be more supportive of these efforts.

IAN ROBERTSON(hearing teacher, FLORIDA,USA): the deaf have taught me the most about God in and through the deaf community. I’m hearing, not deaf.  Journey.”Put out into the deep.”-the call to ministry.  The call of Jesus, the commitment of His disciples. Trust and follow by putting out into the deep. St. Thomas University in Miami, FL. Degree in Pastoral Ministry which has as its FIRST language ASL. Used both deaf and hearing experts to develop programs, then teach in these programs. Most of the students are deaf themselves. Five core values:

a)      Language: acceptance of ASL

b)       Ability vs. disability. Discussions re: language and culture, not disability issues.

c)       Immediate need of access of deaf people to all levels of educational opportunities.

d)       Family; deaf parents; hearing parents who have deaf children.

e)      Community.

THEOLOGY  that comes from a “cultural” understanding of deaf people. Deaf must live in a world that is predominantly hearing and ,therefore, hostile.   The same experience happens for the deaf in a hearing Church. The deaf have a narrative that is of a minority community in a majority church: marginalization, discrimination.   Fr. Elizondo, theologian, writes in a way that matches the experiences of deaf people. Jesus is marginalized (Galilee, the mestizo experience, a mixed community) so He understands and transforms the marginalized into full participants in the Church.   Miguel Diaz: God accepts us as “other” especially in the face of the marginalized. To be in the image of God is to overcome the experience of the marginalized.  Church: when the priest signs instead of going through an interpreter, a full Church, 100% satisfactory, why? Because in that experience, Jesus is signing; the Eucharist is inside: Church/God together, everyone is signing. It is real.

WORD: ISOLATION – an island! Island in the river Tiber where they sent people who had infectious diseases.   You were isolated.

ARCHBISHOP REDRARDO: Tiberine island where hospital is. I live there!

FR. JOSE GUILLERMO GUTIERREZ FERNANDEZ; Pontifical Council of the Family, Vatican. Pastoral needs for these families  are significant. Proposals: great attention on deaf people, not enough being done. We do not have the pastoral workers to meet their needs. Challenge: making our communities more welcoming. The family has a major role for the development of any child. Families of deaf families are similar, but the deaf members have to be supported. Pastoral care has to be more responsive to the family needs. Culture of prevention; better distribution of resources among health care workers; more training to support families facing the birth of a child with deafness.  The Christian community to be trained and ready to welcome and support families; support groups.  The need to be integrated, not ghettos. Excessive special care.  More information; group services. Two possible ways: specific care  included in programs provided to all families. All cases: the testimonies enabled us to take care of families, fundamental pillar of society; virtues, capabilities of each person should be emphasized; the family is key to the development of the  child. Parents require support especially for school choice. Deaf people have the need of socialization. Interesting idea: integral Irish Deaf Village. Pontifical Council of the Family is the object of evangelization, but the also the tool of evangelization.   Families that also share with their neighbors and live together a profound spiritual life are a sign of the Kingdom. Deaf people need the sacraments, if all the churches had interpreters or have  priest that signed would be ideal, but at least each diocese should have one.    Every diocese should have priests who can do Confession. Every diocese should have Masses with sign-language. Technology can help us in doing our work, there are many websites are NOT deaf friendly. What are the best pastoral practices that benefit the family and, therefore, the Church?

ARCHBISHLOP ZYMOWSKI:  we celebrated the fall of the Berlin Wall. At that time, Cardinal Ratzinger said, “finally, but how many other walls are standing in the hearts of other people?”  WALLS: family, society. The Holy Father: We can SEE in this sign of Jesus fervent desire that Jesus had to overcome the solitude of man resulting from selfishness so that there might be a new humanity.   Dialogue, communication with God, a good humanity. The whole of creation is good, without exclusion and discrimination. The world truly is to be for all a field of genuine brotherhood and solidarity. If we(the Church) can imagine the world showing solidarity with what is good, then the world would change immensely. This depends on our hearing the word of God.            

SATURDAY Conference: Archbishop Redrardo summarizes the two days. What was hidden, has now come to light, has been discovered. Deafness as a REALITY. Deafness as a reality in the world, and in the CHURCH.  We were on the front page of a large Italian newspaper.

CARDINAL ANGELINI: co- founder of the Pontifical Council(under John Paul II; 25th anniversary is Feb,2010.).  This Council emphasizes the Church’s response to suffering.   This world of suffering is the world of liberation.  The gift of God is HUMAN LIFE with all its potentials, expressions that can either lead to an experience of evil, but can also mean: values, supreme values-the supreme value which is life.  Life : what matters is the strength to make this life perfect before God our Creator. The enthusiasm you give is what gives birth to saints.  There is a hiddenness, a mystery to your silence. Saints who have lived in a cloister, whose ministry was unrecognized: these people continue the prayer of the Church and sustain the world. The Will of God places people to continue to work as those who follow us.  25th anniversary, Feb.11, 2010.   70 years as a priest.  93 years old.  Living amidst people who suffer; experience of the war(WW II) THE experience that formed so many, especially in Europe.  The Gospels prove: Jesus began His ministry, a pattern where, when and how to work with those who are sick. Jesus chose to work NOT with the “winners”. The Church must imitate Jesus, be closer to those who suffer in body and soul. Evangelization today cannot be achieved unless we focus on those who suffer before we focus on the world of culture. Jesus FIRST focused on those who suffered. Paul VI made us look in a new way to the issues of humans as human! Our time:  we need generous apostles who appreciate the suffering of people, but who use their skills/knowledge to outreach to them as the Lord’s faithful followers.  Lay Catholic people trained in this ministry – the health care workers – THESE are the people who model Christ to the sick and suffering. There must be a Christian spirit in the places of suffering, especially in Catholic hospitals. The great cathedrals of the world are not in Rome, but in hospitals. People look for the Lord there. Then, where there is suffering, we need to return people to the Lord. Sundays, people should go to hospitals instead of churches. Hospitals must be the melting pot where something new happens for the Lord. Let us LISTEN before we speak; listen to the Lord before we go out telling people about Jesus.  WE need to be open to the Lord’s message. Only after that can we open the hearts of others.( JOE’s Reflection:  at the end,  93 years of age – what counts: recognition of suffering as reality of the world; what addresses that mystery of suffering is what comes from our hearts. )Meeting  of FACE TO FACES.

REVEREND JOSEPH A MULCRONE (Priest with the deaf, CHICAGO,IL);  presented  A SUMMARY OF THE CONFERENCE. Available on ICF Website.

TERRY O MEARA:  ICF-communion among people from various countries  gathered together by the Holy Spirit. Deaf are called to the fullness of life in the Church. Foundation supports chaplains, pastoral workers, catechists.

ARCHBISHOP KELLY reported on his meeting(Very positive) with the Congregation for Divine Worship on the use of sign-language, Eucharistic Prayer for the Deaf.

MATTHEW: 11 year old hearing boy with deaf parents.   So many people wonderful ideas.  Helps me understand the life of people like my parents. Met the Pope; he talked to me.(Wonderful example of deaf parents raising a hearing child. Beautiful boy and his spirit. )

QUESTIONS/ANSWERS/COMMENTS: Italian deaf man: conference is a great gift. We need deaf people to be more evangelizers in the Catholic Church. I want to work in a team with other deaf people. Need to have more interpreters for other Vatican events.  Need interpreters in the life of the Church.   Not enough access with interp. for us in Vatican.

ITALIAN DEAF MAN: thank the Conference for this inspiration.

DEAF PERSON FROM POLAND:   President of Polish Deaf Persons; first time to participate in this meeting at the Vatican. 1990: committee in Poland to raise awareness of deaf needs in the Church.  1) lack of well prepared priests for deaf work; 2) priests have to travel, move, then transferred, why; 3) Jehovah Witnesses very active in Poland among the deaf; well trained. How to respond?

Next year, in July the Church for the Deaf in Poland will celebrate. Everyone is invited.

ITALIAN WOMAN:  more attention to must be paid to those people who suffer late onset deafness. Consider them in your future work.

DAVID MALLOY (deaf from  NEW ZEALAND: we want bishops to be a part of our community.

FR, CYRIL: continuing relationship with ICF/Vatican is important. Deaf-blind ministry is new. Wants to stay involved.

Deaf priest, born deaf, in BRAZIL:  sees more unity in our ministry with deaf people.  I have a parish, Our Lady of Tenderness. Deaf come from all over to help me in my work. Only priest in Brazil working with the deaf.   More and more  work, but I am happy.

BRIAN SWATEK:  representing ICDA(International Catholic Deaf Association). Many of our issues are similar to make this work successful. Opportunity to share is wonderful. Deaf appreciating that THEIR needs and issues addressed and they can express them.

DEAF ITALIAN MAN FROM SOUTH OF ITALY: we want more opportunity to be evangelizers as deaf person to the deaf community. Interpreters are a sign of the Church’s concern.  (NEED INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE on DEAF CATECHESIS.)  I teach seven deaf people about Confirmation. Deaf catechists for the deaf community. Important. Deaf Italian catholic website! Deaf evangelizing in a modern way to the deaf.

FR.SAVINO:  not all the needs addressed. Still need to learn; keep the “gate” of learning open. Many needs, but look at a glass as half full. Positive thinking needed. Proceedings of the Conference will be published.  Able to read; recommendations that reflect allowing us to continue our “journey”.

FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE CONFERENCE: a strong message to emphasize the attention linked to deaf people need to be addressed.  Pope says that YOU are not only are the recipients of the Good News, but also the announcers of the message because of your Baptism.

a)Central office in the Church to take care of pastoral needs of deaf people;

b) each diocese should have at least one priest  with the specific competencies as a point of reference for sacraments, catechesis ,etc. re: the pastoral care of deaf people;

c) seminaries: courses to deepen their knowledge of the world of deaf people and learn sign-language;

d) greater attention paid to the problems of deaf people by the bishops; pastoral plan of dioceses must include the needs of deaf people; deaf people themselves should be trained as pastoral ministers;

e) in larger cities, there should be a church identified specifically for deaf people;

f) deaf people and their families should be a critical focus of pastoral programs in the church;

g) Catholic website set-up where all the Catechetical issues can be dealt with; Mass and homily when possible; ethical issues can be addressed;

h) deaf people should be given participating rights in any faith development classes in the diocese;

i) ALDA (late deafened) people; the bishops set up screens for the liturgy for non-hearing;

j) national level: appropriate formation for deaf candidates who wish to become priests or enter religious life;

k) dioceses have a list of certified interpreters  trained for church work;

l) we need to remove ALL barriers that prevent  the full social integration of deaf people ,especially in the area of legal rights ,so  deaf people can participate and contribute fully in the life of  society.

ARCHBISHOP REDRADO: proceedings of the Conference. Be patient.  Recommendations: can be copied from Monday onwards on the Pastoral Council website.  25th anniversary, 2/11/1010. 9-11th: Christian meaning of Pain. Discussion,then  Mass with the Holy Father. Thanks to all the staff of the Pontifical Council ,Synod Hall staff, and Vatican staff.

ARCHBISHOP ZYMOWSKI: this has been important. Thanks to all. Holy Father for his speech; his friendship shown to us.  Great work of integration. Seeking and finding new ways and means for a pastoral approach to work with these children of the Church. Tear down the wall of silence built by the bricks of indifference and lack of interest. Deafness can longer be a reason for exclusion from Church life (and the life of the world).  We must remove all obstacles in the way of the progress towards integration. The Church must increase our efforts in each bishops’ conference, Church structures, diocese, parishes. John Paul II, the servant of God, “in the name of Christ, the Church is a home for all peoples”! This is the message to relay to others. Relay this message

THREE LEVELS OF STRATEGY:

1)      Establishment of the Pontifical Council; standing working group for pastoral care; ad limina visits by bishops must address this issue;

2)      Organization of pilgrimage in Poland (July 3rd) for Mass for the deaf to the black Madonna.

3)      Pontifical Council; we will send recommendations to Ministry of Health in Italy; the participation of non hearing people in Italy is important.

25th conference in Nov. 2010: For a more equitable, humane care of health. Dignity and worth of the person in CARITAS IN VERITATE(Pope’s recent Encyclical Letter) will be emphasized.

Thank all those who accomplished this.  Entrust deaf to the protection of Our Lady of Silence. The Conference is concluded.