As Washington’s archbishop, Cardinal Wilton Gregory has advocated for the respect and dignity of all persons through celebrations and Masses in support of various programs of the archdiocese’s Department of Special Needs Ministries.
Mary O’Meara, executive director of the Department of Special Needs ministries, said many people rejoiced at Cardinal Gregory’s elevation, expressing the hope that the Archdiocese of Washington continues to be a center for promoting the inclusion of all of God’s children in the Church throughout the world,
“There is deep joy in our archdiocese, to be blessed with a shepherd who knows the rich diversity and recognizes the deep giftedness of each person, including those who are deaf and living with a disability,” O’Meara said.
Throughout his time in Washington, Cardinal Gregory has celebrated two White Masses sponsored by the Department of Special Needs Ministries, which take place annually to recognize the gifts of persons with special needs in the local community and provide them an opportunity to renew their baptismal promises.
At the 11th annual White Mass, which took place on Oct. 18, 2020 with a limited audience at St. Francis Deaf Catholic Church in Landover Hills, Maryland and also virtually, then-Archbishop Gregory in a special way highlighted the inclusivity of Jesus, urging Catholics to “never forget nor neglect to welcome” all of God’s children.
“Jesus is always inclusive in His approach with people, always finding ways to include all people into discipleship,” Cardinal Gregory said in his homily at the 2020 White Mass.
Following that Mass, Cardinal Gregory delivered a prerecorded message to a virtual gathering of many members of the special needs community. His presence at the Mass and his time afterward was a gift to the whole community, O’Meara said.
“Having him join the community and be with us was so inspiriting, just to have him come spend time with us,” O’Meara said. “We really look forward to many, many more opportunities to celebrate the giftedness of all persons.”
O’Meara said Cardinal Gregory’s elevation to the College of Cardinals is a gift to the whole archdiocese, and to the Department of Special Needs Ministries, which, she said, “will strive to be a model for deaf ministry and ministry for all those who are living with a disability, encouraging vital growth in this ministry.”
“His office (as cardinal) now brings with it visibility and with that my deep joy would be to see recognition of the gifts that persons with disabilities bring to the Church as agents of change and agents of hope,” O’Meara said.
She added that visibility and emphasis is important, “to ensure that all people of God are welcomed across the Archdiocese of Washington. With his leadership and example, we’ve got it covered.”
Christina DiSalvo of the archdiocese’s Department of Special Needs Ministries interprets then-Archbishop Gregory’s spoken words during a September 2019 Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Deaf Catholic Church in Landover Hills, Maryland. (CS photo/Andrew Biraj)
In October 2019, Cardinal Gregory blessed the James M. Sullivan Memorial House sponsored by Potomac Community Resources on the campus of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Potomac, which is home to three young women with developmental differences.
Steve Riley, the executive director of Potomac Community Resources, said that along with the community served by that agency, he is “delighted and so happy” for Cardinal Gregory and his new appointment.
“In the short time that he’s been here, (Cardinal Gregory) has really proven himself to be a caring pastor for the Church and an instrument of healing, of focus on the social justice message of the Gospel and joy for the Church of Washington,” Riley said.
Riley added, “I hope he has a long and healthy and happy tenure in the College of Cardinals, that he continues to be a strong and clear voice as he has been here in Washington and in his previous positions for social justice and the inclusion of everyone in the life of the Church irrespective of race, status, or disability, and I’m sure he will.”
Then-Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory offers a prayer of blessing at the Oct. 13 dedication of the James M. Sullivan Memorial House for three young women with developmental differences. Standing next to him are two of the home’s residents, Diana Krolikowski and Deborah Lim. The home is next door to Our Lady of Mercy Church and School in Potomac. (CS photo/Mihoko Owada)
