Principles for Understanding Deaf Ministry and Guidelines for Hiring Pastoral Ministers for the Deaf Catholic Community

“It happens that there are many different languages in the world, and none is meaningless; but if I do not know the meaning of a language, I shall be a foreigner to one who speaks it, and one who speaks it a foreigner to me.” 1 Cor.14:10-11

Introduction

The National Catholic Office for the Deaf (NCOD) is dedicated to promoting pastoral ministry with Catholic persons who are deaf or hard of hearing through bishops, pastors, pastoral ministers, catechists, the Deaf community, and families with deaf or hard of hearing children.

NCOD is publishing these Principles and Guidelines in response to numerous requests for such direction from many dioceses, parishes, and agencies serving deaf persons.
This document was developed in consultation with deaf persons. It reflects the expertise and extensive experience of pastoral ministers’ work in dioceses throughout the United States and Canada.

While no set of guidelines can address every question, or respond to all possible situations, this statement establishes basic principles for understanding Catholic Deaf ministry and hiring pastoral ministers.

To read the complete document, download the PDF.