Considering a case for rights and charity

Abstract

ABSTRACT The ‘charity’ model of disability has been soundly rejected by individuals with disabilities for one that emphasises rights. Although good to be rejected, rights also have limits, as evidenced by the ongoing transgression against the rights of persons with disabilities (PWD). What new insights in Christian theology might positively impact this? It will be difficult, as long as the charity model continues to pervade Christian faith communities. While researching the rupture between practice and the faith proclaimed within the US Catholic Church regarding individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), I discovered a meta-narrative which I named the shadow narrative, because it eclipses the light of the Gospel, and leads to the devaluation and marginalisation of individuals with IDD, or any other group of people not valued by the normative culture. The co-opted version of charity is by far its most popular thread. By shining a light on the shadow narrative to reveal its undercurrents and returning to scriptural texts that underpin Christian charity, I will propose a case for Rights and Charity to renew attitudes about and opportunities for individuals with disabilities within faith communities, which could then become leaven for society.