Evangelization and mental/cognitive dysfunction

[anilorak13ska]

I’m curious whether or not we ought to be concerned about evangelizing people who have certain mental illnesses or cognitive dysfunctions that may be interfering with their ability to a) care, b) believe, and/or c) know how to follow Jesus?

I’m not talking about something as serious necessarily as schizophrenia or autism, but maybe something like Asperger’s Syndrome, or brain injury resulting in lowered cognitive age. Do we need to be concerned if these folks don’t go to church, or claim not to believe in God?

 

[edward_george]

“Make disciples of all nations.” On the one hand, people with mental disabilities aren’t necessarily going to be as culpable for what they do or do not believe as others. On the other hand, everyone needs grace–if we truly believe that the sacraments impart grace, that they work ex opere operato, and that they are really and truly and tangibly how we come into contact with Christ, why wouldn’t we want to evangelize everyone?

-ACEGC

 

[anilorak13ska]

I’m not saying that we wouldn’t WANT to evangelize them, but rather if maybe our goals would be different? Different expectations? Different approach?

 

[DavidFilmer]

If a person is Baptized (even as an infant) and has not committed mortal sin, that person will be saved (ie, will go to heaven).

Mental dysfunction could inhibit both knowledge and consent (two requirements for a sin to be mortal in nature). It’s possible that someone with a mental impairment could be incapable of committing a mortal sin (or be very unlikely to ever do so). If such a person is Baptized, we don’t need to worry about his salvation.

(yet another good reason for infant Baptism)

 

[anilorak13ska]

If a person is Baptized (even as an infant) and has not committed mortal sin, that person will be saved (ie, will go to heaven).

Mental dysfunction could inhibit both knowledge and consent (two requirements for a sin to be mortal in nature). It’s possible that someone with a mental impairment could be incapable of committing a mortal sin (or be very unlikely to ever do so). If such a person is Baptized, we don’t need to worry about his salvation.

(yet another good reason for infant Baptism)

Thanks! This is** very **helpful!
And a great point about infant baptism!

A follow up question - in the event of an acquired brain injury, if prior to the injury the baptized person had not recently been to confession, does their injury now in any way affect their having to still answer for unconfessed sins from before the injury, when they were expected to know better/etc.?

 

[ClayPots47]

I’m curious whether or not we ought to be concerned about evangelizing people who have certain mental illnesses or cognitive dysfunctions that may be interfering with their ability to a) care, b) believe, and/or c) know how to follow Jesus?

I’m not talking about something as serious necessarily as schizophrenia or autism, but maybe something like Asperger’s Syndrome, or brain injury resulting in lowered cognitive age. Do we need to be concerned if these folks don’t go to church, or claim not to believe in God?

Just want to point out that Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome and other Autism Spectrum disorders are developmental disorders, not mental disorders. Some Aspies can have mental illnesses and/or cognitive dysfunctions as co-morbid with Asperger’s, but Asperger’s itself is neither a mental illness nor a cognitive dysfunction.Aspies possess higher than average IQ’s, but lower than normal EQ’s (Emotional Quotient’s), they have trouble with social cues that Neurotypicals (normal folks) take for granted. But many can and have adjusted, females tend to do better at integrating normal social behavior than males. There is no reason why one could not evangelize to people with ASD’s (Autism Spectrum Disorders), especially those with average to high IQ’s.

 

[DavidFilmer]

A follow up question - in the event of an acquired brain injury, if prior to the injury the baptized person had not recently been to confession, does their injury now in any way affect their having to still answer for unconfessed sins from before the injury, when they were expected to know better/etc.?

A person with a serious illness or injury should receive the Sacrament of Unction (Anointing of the Sick). This Sacrament will also confer remission of sins for those unable to confess them (CCC 1520).

 

[Marc_Anthony]

A person with Asperger’s does not have any inhibition that prevents them from knowing God. I know that this is unintentional so I’m not mad, but as a warning for future use, saying that is highly offensive.

A person with Asperger’s can be highly intelligent and “normal” (if that’s even a defineable thing-I have yet to meet a “normal” person). They’ll just be a bit more awkward in social situations and probably a bit smarter than everybody else.

They’re certainly not disabled in any way, shape, or form, and can understand the world just as well as everybody else, if not better in certain ways.

 

[anilorak13ska]

Thanks for the feedback and correction. I apologize if I offended anyone. A relative of mine has Aspergers, which is what prompted me to ask if this may have anything to do with her resistance to faith. I also have a friend who has Aspergers who finds great comfort in Catholicism, so I know it’s certainly not something that automatically correlates negatively with faith.

In particular, I wondered if her attitude of “I don’t care” can be attributed to Aspergers or not. My Aspie friend pointed out that she may indeed care but be uncomfortable sharing her true feelings.

Regarding Anointing of the Sick… I have a relative who suffered a brain injury many years ago and never received this sacrament. While his condition is not currently life threatening, would it still be advisable to try to get him to receive this sacrament?

Thanks!

 

[DavidFilmer]

Regarding Anointing of the Sick… I have a relative who suffered a brain injury many years ago and never received this sacrament. While his condition is not currently life threatening, would it still be advisable to try to get him to receive this sacrament?

If he is still suffering from this injury in any significant way then he should seek Unction.

 

[anilorak13ska]

And if his injury prevents him from understanding what the Sacrament is or why he needs it? He can be quite fickle and stubborn now. I’ve been meaning to ask one of our parish priests how we may go about the Sacrament, so I’ll see what they say.