Disbled Ministers

  • Thread starter Thread starter designingjoy
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
D

designingjoy

Guest
We have a young, wheelchair bound man who would like to be a reader. He has all the qualifications, including a deep faith and a wonderful voice, but is unable to get up the step to the Ambo. Nor can he stand at the Ambo.

Can anyone enlighten us on the requirements for Readers with disabilities. Is it a requirement that one be at the “permanent” Ambo, and must they be standing? :confused:

One issue I’ve heard is that the congregation would focus attention on the wheelchair. Another would be the Bishop’s and Pastor’s feelings. Does the church have an official stance for these people who may be so well qualified, but may feel left out due to their disabilities - be they blind, hearing impaired, or whatever.

Thanks, and let it be known that I am so happy to be “back in the church” after 20 years away! I’ve learned more about my faith in the last 10 years than I did in my first 35 (Yep, a Pre VII child)👍
 
From the General Instructions of the Roman Missal:

In the celebration of the Mass with a congregation, the readings are always given from the ambo (58).

If the young man can not use the ambo, he would not be able to fill the requirements of the Church regarding the readings.
 
You need to bring this to your diocesan staff, especially seeking guidance on your legal obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Church facilities should be in compliance with the ADA.

Of course the person does not have to stand to read if they are unable to stand. You can also make accomodations regarding the ambo.

This is not a question for an internet forum. This is a question your pastor needs to run up the diocesan flagpole.
 
Cathryn said:
From the General Instructions of the Roman Missal:

In the celebration of the Mass with a congregation, the readings are always given from the ambo (58).

If the young man can not use the ambo, he would not be able to fill the requirements of the Church regarding the readings.
Click to expand...
I respectfully disagree with your interpretation of the GIRM in what it means to give the reading “from” the ambo. I have seen wheelchair bound readers in parishes in the US.

**This is really a case in which the OP needs to get factual information from his diocese on the parish obligations, not opinions off the internet.
**
 
From the General Instructions of the Roman Missal:

VII. LECTERN (AMBO) OR PLACE FROM WHICH THE WORD OF GOD IS PROCLAIMED
  1. The dignity of the word of God requires the church to have a place that is suitable for proclamation of the word and is a natural focal point for the people during the liturgy of the word.84
As a rule the lectern or ambo should be stationary, not simply a movable stand. In keeping with the structure of each church, it must be so placed that the ministers may be easily seen and heard by the faithful.

The readings, responsorial psalm, and the Easter Proclamation («Exsultet») are proclaimed from the lectern; it may be used also for the homily and general intercessions (prayer of the faithful).

It is better for the commentator, cantor, or choir director not to use the lectern.
 
Cathryn said:
From the General Instructions of the Roman Missal:

VII. LECTERN (AMBO) OR PLACE FROM WHICH THE WORD OF GOD IS PROCLAIMED
  1. The dignity of the word of God requires the church to have a place that is suitable for proclamation of the word and is a natural focal point for the people during the liturgy of the word.84
As a rule the lectern or ambo should be stationary, not simply a movable stand. In keeping with the structure of each church, it must be so placed that the ministers may be easily seen and heard by the faithful.

The readings, responsorial psalm, and the Easter Proclamation («Exsultet») are proclaimed from the lectern; it may be used also for the homily and general intercessions (prayer of the faithful).

It is better for the commentator, cantor, or choir director not to use the lectern.
Click to expand...
And all of this can be adapted so that the wheelchair bound person can read from the ambo. Accomodations and modifications can be made.
 
The USCCB gives guidelines on accessibility, this is for building and renovating but I think it is also instructive in this situation. The parish may need to address accessibility.

old.usccb.org/liturgy/livingstones.shtml

Accessibility
§ 211 § Every person should be welcomed into the worshiping assembly with respect and care. It was the prophet Isaiah who announced the Lord’s message: "For my house shall be
called a house of prayer for all peoples."193 The bishops of the United States have stated that "it is essential that all forms of the liturgy be completely accessible to persons with disabilities, since these forms are the essence of the spiritual tie that binds the Christian community together."194 Further direction is given by Pope John Paul II, who has called the Church to the full integration of persons with disabilities into family, community, and Church, and to overcome "the tendency to isolate, segregate and marginalize [those with
disabilities]."195 When buildings present barriers to the full and active participation of all, the Body of Christ is harmed.

§ 212 § Special attention should be given to individuals with visual or hearing impairments, to those who have difficulty walking or who are in wheelchairs, and to the elderly with frailties. In addition to ramps, elevators, braille signs, and special sound systems that can be accessed by those who need assistance, staircases should have at least one railing. If the sanctuary is elevated by steps, an unobtrusively placed ramp with a hand
rail should be provided to make it possible for everyone to have access to the sanctuary.196
 
We have a deacon in a wheelchair. He can’t read from the Ambo and our diocese does not have a problem with it. I also know lectors in other parishes who are wheelchair bound.
 
Joannm said:
We have a deacon in a wheelchair. He can’t read from the Ambo and our diocese does not have a problem with it. I also know lectors in other parishes who are wheelchair bound.
Click to expand...
Likewise here except that at this church there is a “double” - side by side - ambo.

Where there is a will, there is a way…

The bigger problem may be the problem of access to the sanctuary. At the Church referred to above, the Church a “half round” arrangement and there is a ramp at the back of the Sanctuary area.
At my Home parish - of older design - the Sanctuary is three full steps up - no ramp provision in place and it would not be easy to put one in.

Peace
James
 
I am a wheelchair user, and have been a lector in my parish for many years. They have me pull up beside the ambo and use its microphone (which is bendable). Fortunately, the way my church is set up I am able to enter through the sacristy without having to deal with steps.

BTW, I greatly dislike the term “wheelchair bound”. The wheelchair is a tool for mobility, not a prison. I would be far more “bound” **without **my chair.
 
MrZoom said:
I am a wheelchair user, and have been a lector in my parish for many years. They have me pull up beside the ambo and use its microphone (which is bendable). Fortunately, the way my church is set up I am able to enter through the sacristy without having to deal with steps.

**BTW, I greatly dislike the term “wheelchair bound”. The wheelchair is a tool for mobility, not a prison. I would be far more “bound” **without ****my chair.
Click to expand...
Amen -

Of course “bound” can have another meaning too…Like “heaven bound”

Peace
James
 
Wheelchair access was an important part of the renovation of the sanctuary at St Joan of Arc church at 118 New Street, Brighton, Melbourne, Australia. This photo at imageeight.com.au/images/listings/StJoanofArcChurch27.jpg has the ambo on the left. I think it is in its low position, for someone in a wheelchair. For someone standing to read it extends up. The photo also shows a ramp near the ambo, going into the sanctuary, rather than the usual steps. Here is another photo of it: imageeight.com.au/images/listings/StJoanofArcChurch05.jpg .
 
This breaks my heart. Are we not all equal in the eyes of God, who created us.🤷
 
designingjoy said:
We have a young, wheelchair bound man who would like to be a reader. He has all the qualifications, including a deep faith and a wonderful voice, but is unable to get up the step to the Ambo. Nor can he stand at the Ambo.

Can anyone enlighten us on the requirements for Readers with disabilities. Is it a requirement that one be at the “permanent” Ambo, and must they be standing? :confused:

One issue I’ve heard is that the congregation would focus attention on the wheelchair. Another would be the Bishop’s and Pastor’s feelings. Does the church have an official stance for these people who may be so well qualified, but may feel left out due to their disabilities - be they blind, hearing impaired, or whatever.

Thanks, and let it be known that I am so happy to be “back in the church” after 20 years away! I’ve learned more about my faith in the last 10 years than I did in my first 35 (Yep, a Pre VII child)👍
Click to expand...
OF COURSE he need not stand nor must he use the ambo if he cannot physically. He should be in the sanctuary and as close to the ambo as possible, if possible. If he cannot enter the sanctuary then he should be at the foot of it as close to the ambo as possible.

The ambo at the Cathedral of Our Lady Angels is very well designed and allows those in wheelchairs to access it. The reading surface moves up and down and can support more than 500 pounds without damage. Perhaps more parishes in time will adopt similar models. Good luck to your parish and your future lector. 👍

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
1ke said:
You need to bring this to your diocesan staff, especially seeking guidance on your legal obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Church facilities should be in compliance with the ADA.

Of course the person does not have to stand to read if they are unable to stand. You can also make accomodations regarding the ambo.

This is not a question for an internet forum. This is a question your pastor needs to run up the diocesan flagpole.
Click to expand...
The ADA is not in charge here. The Church is with Her expected wisdom and compassion that extends far further than a couple of paragraphs from the GIRM.
 
Being a lector or reader isn’t a right. The pastor is in charge and may decide there is no resources to redesign the ambo at this time. My pastor says he would gently suggest another ministry that this person is capable of handling. But, the pastor is in charge, not the federal government. Now a handicap bathroom is something entirely different. Everyone has a right to use a bathroom.
 
Cathryn said:
Being a lector or reader isn’t a right. The pastor is in charge and may decide there is no resources to redesign the ambo at this time. My pastor says he would gently suggest another ministry that this person is capable of handling. But, the pastor is in charge, not the federal government. Now a handicap bathroom is something entirely different. Everyone has a right to use a bathroom.
Click to expand...
I can’t think of a case where a “redesign” of the ambo would be absolutely necessary to let anyone read at Mass.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top