‘Us’ Not ‘Them’: Disability and Catholic Theology and Social Teaching is a short read (only 25 pages long), but has provided me with some refreshing insights on disability and theology.
Throughout this book, Fr Glyn challenges the extremes of thinking around disability. On the one hand, he challenges the idea of the image of God being ‘dimmed’ in people with disability as a result of original sin (as mentioned in page 6), or people with disability being reduced to objects of care (as referred to in page 9). Page 9 of this booklet highlights examples of this type of thinking, such as denial of the priesthood to people with disability, describing someone’s life as diminished and describing virtue being displayed, not by people with disability themselves, but by those caring for them.
Fr Glyn also challenges the other idea of ‘disability as holiness’, that people with disability are ‘specially selected victims to suffer sinlessly for others’ (page 11). An example of this type of thinking that Fr Glyn refers to include, seeing people with disability as ‘icons of the crucified son’.
As an autistic individual, while many people value me as a disciple, I have been on the receiving end of both of these types of thinking, and perhaps fallen into the trap of thinking this way about other people. For example, when I’ve had a meltdown at church, I have heard people in the background saying that I’m ‘mentally disturbed’, as if I’m cursed. Or I’ve looked down on people as a special kind of sinner.
I’ve also experienced being put on a pedestal, or feel that I'm seen by some as a living canonised saint. For example, people have imagined halos around my head and I’ve felt I'm being seen as someone who can do no wrong. While I appreciate the affirmation of other people and people seeing the image of God in me, I can fall into the trap of being too proud of myself. I feel that I’ve also seen other people as living canonised saints.
The reality is that I’m a human being, wonderfully created and like fellow Christians, striving for holiness. Yet, alongside all humanity, I sin. Additionally, I’ve seen both virtue and sin among fellow people with disability, for along with our fellow humans, we’re imperfect.
Fr Glyn offers an alternative theology highlighting the equality of all human beings, with all our blessings and our limitations. On page 18, he talks about people with disability, illness or injury not being a special group of people, for we all experience human limitation. Physical and mental impairment is something we all face. Fr Glyn refers to us being ‘… born with limited capacities’ and, as we age, experiencing a decline in physical and mental functioning. He also talks (in page 20) of the gifts we have to offer each other, using an example of someone with motor neurone disease needing assistance with daily living activities, yet being a brilliant scientist, and the fact that we are interdependent on each other.
I’ve only scratched the surface of what Fr Glyn has written about, but if you’d like a greater theological understanding of disability, I would highly recommend reading his book. He also brings up other ideas about the social model of disability, the barriers people with disability face in secular and church circles, and the solidarity Jesus has with us with his human limitations.
‘Us’ not ‘Them’: Disability and Catholic Theology and Social Teaching is available from the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference online store: www.catholic.org.au/shop/acbc-shop.
Fr Justin Glyn SJ also wrote an article in the October 2019 edition of Sandpiper about his experience of being a priest with disability. I can email a copy of this article or post it to you if you contact me via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0439 562 286.
Daniel
Other Perspectives:
If you’d like to offer another perspective on disability inclusion in a time of pandemic, or would like to share your story in our monthly disability columns, contact Daniel Giles via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0439 562 286.
