Pope Francis: We need to break down isolation & stigma of autism

Zebras by Lee Leland

"We need to break down the isolation and stigma of autism" Pope Francis told a gathering of experts, parents and children at the Vatican on Saturday.

More than 600 experts from 57 countries were joined by hundreds of parents and children affected by autism for a three-day conference sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Healthcare, entitled The Person With Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Animating Hope.

Pope Francis spoke of the fragility of children and families suffering from autistic spectrum disorders, saying the stigma and isolation they felt was like a cross. The Holy Father called for a network of support and services that more accessible for families. This was the responsibility of governments and institutions but also parishes and friends.

See also: ICN 19 November 2014 Vatican to host international conference on autism www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=26054

A Vatican Radio translation of the Holy Father’s full address follows below:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Thank you for your welcome!

I am happy to welcome you at the end of your XXIX International Conference organized by the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Health Care, which I thank for wanting to realize such a commendable and relevant initiative, dedicated to the complex issue of autism spectrum disorders.

I warmly greet all of you who have come to take part in this meeting, which focused on prayer and testimony, together with people who are affected by autism spectrum disorders, their families and specialized associations.

These conditions constitute a fragility that affects numerous children and, consequently, their families. They represent an area that appeal to the direct responsibility of governments and institutions, without of course forgetting the responsibility of Christian communities.

Everyone should be committed to promoting acceptance, encounter and solidarity through concrete support and by encouraging renewed hope.  In this way we can contribute to breaking down the isolation and, in many cases, the stigma burdening people with autism spectrum disorders, and just as often their families.

This must not be an anonymous or impersonal accompaniment, but one of listening to the profound needs that arise from the depths of a pathology which, all too often, struggles to be properly diagnosed and accepted without shame or withdrawing into solitude, especially for families. It is a Cross.

Assistance to people affected by autism spectrum disorders would benefit greatly from the creation of a network of support and services on the ground that are comprehensive and accessible.  These should involve, in addition to parents, grandparents, friends, therapists, educators and pastoral workers. These figures can help families overcome the feelings, that can sometimes arise, of inadequacy, uselessness and frustration.

For this very reason, I thank the families, parish groups and various associations present here today and from whom we heard these moving and meaningful testimonies, for the work they carry out every day. I extend to all of them my personal gratitude and that of the whole Church.

Moreover, I want to encourage the hard work of academics and researchers, so that they may discover therapies and support tools, to help and heal and, above all, prevent the onset of these conditions as soon as possible. All of this while paying due attention to the rights of the patients, their needs and their potential, always safeguarding the dignity of every person.

Dear brothers and sisters, I entrust you all to the protection of the Virgin Mary, and I thank you for your prayers. Now, all together, let us pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary for all health care workers, for the sick, and then receive the blessing. Hail Mary ...

Source: VIS/Vatican Radio & http://lelandlee.com/