Mass and the phusically Challenged

[aduprey]

SIZE=4]s it true that the physically challenged (for example confined to wheelchairs) are exempt frIom the Sunday obligation?

 

[stbruno]

Most churches are handicapped accessible nowadays, and if the person in the wheelchair is relatively mobile and regularly gets out of their home for other reasons, then attending mass should be a priority. Naturally if they are homebound, this is not an issue at all. A minister of Care can be bring them the Eucharist at their request, as well as a priest regularly come to hear their confession, give them the Sacrament of the Sick etc. .

 

[SMHW]

I don’t think you can make a blanket statement one way or the other.

Many new and refurbished churches have wheelchair ramps and spaces for wheelchairs. A person in a wheelchair can just as easily be sitting in a wheelchair at Mass as sitting in a wheelchair in a living room somewhere.

Something similar could be said for people with many other disabilities.

Now if the problem is that the person has trouble with transportation to Mass, then that is another matter. If anyone, whether they have a disability or not, is not able to travel to Mass, then they are excused from attending Mass. But if people have neighbors, buses, and van services available to them, then they should make use of them as often as possible.

Now obviously there are some illnesses and disabilities which might make it unduly difficult for a person to be at Mass. But just because someone has a disability doesn’t mean they are automatically excused.