By Fr. Johnston Z. Mlambo
The five-day Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) workshop on Communication and Disability came to a close on 1 May 2026, the Feast of St Joseph the Worker, with delegates issuing a declaration outlining the way forward.
The workshop, held at the Padre Pio Retreat Centre in Pretoria, South Africa, brought together delegates from all IMBISA Episcopal Conferences, including bishops, priests, religious, and lay people, under the theme “Bridging the Gap: A Regional Conference on Communication and Disability in the IMBISA Region.”
Prior to issuing the statement, participants listened to a moving testimony from a seminarian from Lesotho, Reabetsoe Ernest Hlosi, with a hearing disability, who shared both his joys and the heart-rending challenges he has faced as a deaf parishioner and an aspirant to the priesthood.
Due to logistical, financial, and resource challenges, the seminarian had to relocate from Lesotho to South Africa, where he was initially enrolled at St John Vianney Seminary. However, he was later withdrawn as he struggled to keep pace with other seminarians.
Reabetsoe Ernest Hlosi is now receiving support from Fr. Mark James OP. Delegates were given the opportunity to ask him questions about his life and his journey to the priesthood. In his responses, he noted that physical, social, and intellectual barriers still exist, but expressed hope that, through education—or rather the formation of all the faithful—significant improvement can be realised.
He demonstrated remarkable zeal and determination.
Following the moving testimony, the delegates, in a synodal spirit, reflected together on the declaration to be published.
In the statement, the delegates emphasised that the ongoing Synod on Synodality presents a unique opportunity to address long-standing challenges faced by persons with disabilities within the Church.
“The synodal journey has proven to be a particularly opportune moment to respond to the fundamental request that the faithful with disabilities make to the life of the Church: their full inclusion in the life of the Family of God,” the statement reads.
The delegates stressed that inclusion must go beyond gestures of charity and hospitality, calling instead for meaningful participation in all aspects of Church life.
“The inclusion of people with disabilities requires moving from mere welcoming to active participation, recognising them as full Catholic Christians, not just recipients of help,” the statement noted.
In this regard, the Church was urged to remove all forms of barriers that hinder participation, including physical, communicational, and attitudinal obstacles, to ensure access to the sacraments and full integration into catechesis and pastoral activities.
Highlighting the theological foundation of inclusion, the delegates affirmed that inclusion is not optional but essential to the Church’s identity.
“Inclusion, in a synodal Church, is a right and an expression of God’s love, theologically grounded in the recognition of the other as the image of God,” they stated.
The workshop also underscored the need to transform attitudes and perceptions within Church communities.
“The delegates commit themselves to working within the Church and beyond to overcome prejudice and the mentality of a ‘separate group,’ promoting a true conversion of heart that embraces disability as part of the diversity of the community,” the statement said.
In practical terms, the delegates called for the prioritisation of accessibility in Church spaces and programmes, including the removal of architectural barriers, the use of sign language in liturgical celebrations, and the availability of Church documents in Braille.
They further emphasised the importance of empowering persons with disabilities to take up active roles within the Church.
“People with disabilities can serve as catechists, readers, and pastoral leaders… moving from ‘them’ to ‘us,’” the statement noted, echoing the vision of Pope Francis.
The statement also highlighted the need for comprehensive formation programmes for pastoral agents, catechists, and seminarians to better accompany persons with disabilities in their faith journey.
“Pastoral agents should be trained to accompany people with disabilities on personalised paths of preparation for the sacraments,” the delegates said, adding that such formation should include sign language, Braille, and direct engagement with persons living with disabilities.
The delegates further affirmed the dignity and value of persons with disabilities, rejecting misconceptions that marginalise them.
“Disabilities do not represent illness or inefficiency in the social and ecclesial environment. On the contrary, Churches that promote such inclusion demonstrate a welcoming attitude as the Family of God,” the statement emphasised.
The IMBISA workshop marks a significant step in the region’s efforts to promote a more inclusive Church, aligned with the broader vision of synodality, which emphasises communion, participation, and mission.
As the Church in Southern Africa continues to reflect on its pastoral priorities, the call for inclusion of persons with disabilities stands out as both a moral imperative and a concrete expression of the Gospel.
