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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NAME CHANGE FOR CATHOLIC DISABILITY ORGANIZATION REFLECTS EXPANDED MISSION AND OUTREACH Washington DC - October 17, 2002 – Celebration of two decades of advocating for welcome and justice for individuals with assorted disabilities and frailties under the name of the National Catholic Office for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) calls forth a new emphasis on partnership with all other Catholic entities. In recognition of that expanding outreach, the organization has officially changed its name to the National Catholic Partnership on Disability. Mary Jane Owen, executive director announced: “Our name change reflects our ongoing commitment to create partnerships with all Catholic organizations and people who seek to expand outreach and evangelization to the over 14 million Catholics who live with various disabilities. If we are to meet the growing expectations of our brothers and sisters; mothers and fathers; sons and daughters who live with physical, cognitive, sensory or emotional disabilities, it is essential that the circle of concern be expanded. We retain our familiar designation of “NCPD” but in our third decade as the national voice of the vulnerable, it is imperative that the circle of love and concern be expanded.” The organization was created in 1982 to promote and advocate for the highly significant 1978 Pastoral Statement of U. S. Catholic Bishops on Handicapped People which expressed a growing commitment “to working for a deeper understanding of both the pain and the potential of our neighbors who are blind, deaf, mentally retarded, emotionally impaired, who have special learning problems, or who suffer from single or multiple physical handicaps – all those whom disability may set apart.” Society’s altering view and the expanding possibilities brought about by new medical and rehabilitation services were acknowledged in 1989 when the title was altered to better reflect the aspirations of those addressed. The revised version of that historic document is now known as the Pastoral Statement of U. S. Catholic Bishops on People with Disabilities. Over the intervening years, the effort to remain relevant resulted in two additional USCCB documents. The U. S. Bishops Guidelines for Celebration of the Sacraments With Persons with Disabilities approved in 1995 discusses each of the seven sacraments and reaffirmed their commitment “to promote accessibility of mind and heart, so that all persons with disabilities may be welcomed at worship and at every level of service as full members of the body of Christ.” The 1998 Welcome and Justice for Persons with Disabilities continued the tradition of updating Church documents to be responsive to the expectations of people whose civil rights were expanding under federal, state and local law. “Our defense of life and rejection of the culture of death require that we acknowledge the dignity and positive contributions of our brothers and sisters with disabilities. We unequivocally oppose negative attitudes toward disability that often lead to abortion, medical rationing, and euthanasia.” Kent Peters, STL, Chairperson of NCPD’s Board of Directors noted, “It is important that we, as an organization, highlight the growing numbers of people who are surviving the early deaths expected several decades ago. Our parents and grandparents lacked the services which allow individuals with significant impairments to return from hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, ready and willing to assume an active role in their communities and parishes. Their need to be fully included calls for a partnership effort.” Nancy Thompson, DMin, Chair-elect added, “As I move into my new role of leadership within the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, it is my intention to broaden the scope of outreach and awareness. We can do no less. We need the cooperation of all our fellow Catholic organizations, Church leaders and parishioners.” # # #
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