Featured Resources
Mental Illness: A Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of California
"Those living with a mental illness should never bear these burdens alone, nor should their families who struggle heroically to assist their loved ones. We Christians must encounter them, accompany them, comfort them and help bear their burdens in solidarity with them – offering our understanding, prayers, and tangible and ongoing assistance." - Hope and Healing: A Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of California on Caring for those who Suffer from Mental Illness Addressed to All Catholics and People of Goodwill
Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic Bishops on Persons with Disabilities
This USCCB pastoral statement (1978) uses language to describe disability that is now outdated. Read the NCPD document, “Speaking of Disability: Pastoral Guidelines on Language” for information about appropriate language. November 16, 1978
Welcome and Justice for Persons with Disabilities
A Framework of Access and Inclusion A Statement of the U.S. Bishops
Letter to the Elderly from John Paul II
Read this October 1,1999 letter from His Holiness Pope John Paul II to the Elderly.
The Dignity of Older People and their Mission in the Church and in the World
The Contents for this 1998 Pontifical Council for the Laity document: Introduction Meaning and value of old age The older person in the Bible Older people's problems are the problems of us all The Church and older people Guidelines for the pastoral care of older people Conclusions
USCCB Resource: "Celiac Disease, Alcohol Intolerance, and the Church's Pastoral Response"
Read this resource from the Committee on Divine Worship Newsletter, October 2012.
Most recent letter from CDF regarding low-gluten hosts and mustum:Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, 2000
"Circular Letter to all Presidents of the Episcopal Conferences concerning the use of low-gluten altar breads and mustum as matter for the celebration of the Eucharist"