Affirmations
05 March 2015
This document of "Affirmations" is the collaborative work of a small committee and participants of a conference on persons with disabilities sponsored by the Council for World Mission (CWM) in July 2014. The conference was held under the theme "Building an Inclusive Community: Moving beyond Accommodation to Affirmation and Advocacy with and for Persons with Disabilities.”
The “Affirmations” are intended to be a guide to the member churches of CWM undergirded by the value of mutual accountability. CWM seeks to encourage and challenge the protection of the value of each individual created by God and in so doing affirm the contribution and worth of each person in all that the church does.
The sad reality is that persons with disabilities remain in societies the silent and marginalized many. This injustice must end. For this to happen we must begin with reframing theological reflections, attitudes, values and norms regarding issues of accessibility and disabilities.
It is hopeful that this document will allow for new conversations enabling self-critique and scrutiny of all that the church is and does and in so doing reframing a space for all to have access and opportunity to be the best God intended.
Mr Nanai Varoka (PNG), Dr Samuel Kabue (EDAN), DR Gordon Cowans (Jamaica), Mrs Margaret Morris (CF, UK)
