The three-day Living Fully 2016 conference in Rome recently celebrated, in unity, the value and honor of human life, especially those with disabilities. The Living Fully convention also fostered a positive culture of faith healing. The event was spearheaded by the Pontifical Council for Culture and The Kairos Forum.
DR. PIA MATTHEWS
Bioethics and Medical Law
'We are in an interesting situation where we should not have to talk about disability and inclusion and all the rest of it. It should happened anyway. The Kairos Forum is one of those places where we gather information that will help people to find out more and more so people don't feel on their own. Because often disability is quite an isolated thing. So, it's wonderful just to feel connected.â?
This collective group of international leading voices in the field of disability joined together in spreading this message of solidarity to all.
PROF. HANS REINDERS
Disability and Ethics
University of Amsterdam
'What people like me, like academics do, is they bring up reflections or religions and their sources and the questions that are in peoples minds. But, actually the best and most effective way is to get involved with the people we are talking about. And then see their beauty, their contribution and that usually is really what changes peoples hearts and peoples minds.â?
Theologians and specialized practitioners alike were involved in the union with the families of those living with disabilities.
DR. ZACHARIAH DUKE
Theologian
'We see a great example with Pope Francis and what he is doing in the area of disability. And the signs and symbols he's portraying to us. Pope Francis, in his pontificate, is really providing us a guiding light, in terms of actually how to include people living with a disability. But, not only to include but to insure that particular settings, setting where people living with a disability and people living without a disability feel as if they belong to their communities.â?
The conference held a variety of delicate and important conversations on topics about loneliness and inclusion to name a few. The complexities of ethical legalities and theological questions that often come to light on a daily basis were also discussed.
DR. LIAM WALDRON
Theologian
'One of my particular interests is looking at how churches and ecclesiastical communities and Christian generally, people of faith, can do something about this, can address this problem.â?
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 15 percent of the worldâ??s population has a disability. The goal of this conference is aimed at providing the essential tools by providing a method of overall societal inclusion for people with disabilities by educating families and communities within the church and beyond.
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