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On June 16, 1995, the general membership of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the Guidelines for Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities (additional copies available from USCC, 1-800-235-8722). The following quotes and summaries are provided as a quick reference companion to the compete document and is in no way intended to replace it.

General Principles

•"By reason of their baptism, all Catholics are equal in dignity in the sight of God and have the same divine calling" (#1).

•"Catholics with disabilities have a right to participate in the sacraments as fully functioning members of the local ecclesial community. Ministers are not to refuse the sacraments to those who ask for them at appropriate times, who are properly disposed and who are not prohibited by law from receiving them" (#2).

•"Parish sacramental celebrations should be accessible to persons with disabilities and open to their full, active and conscious participation, according to their capacity...These adaptations are to become an ordinary part of the liturgical life of the parish"(#3).

•"Pastoral ministers should make every effort to determine the presence of all Catholics with disabilities who reside within the parish's boundaries [and to welcome them, especially] those parishioners with disabilities living in institutions or group homes who are not able to frequent the parish church or activities" (#4).

•"... Pastors have the responsibility to be as inclusive as possible in providing evangelization, catechetical formation and sacramental preparation for parishioners with disabilities. Parish catechetical and sacramental preparation programs may need to be adapted for some parishioners with disabilities. Parishes should encourage persons with disabilities to participate in all levels of pastoral ministry" (#5).

•"Pastoral ministers are encouraged to develop specific programs aimed at forming a community of believers known for its joyful inclusion of all of God's people around the table of the Lord" (#6).

•"Dioceses are encouraged to establish appropriate policies for handling such cases which respect the procedural and substantive rights of all involved, and which ensure the necessary provisions of consultation" (#7).