An International Conference, entitled “Accessibility-Disability-Church“, is organized by the Department of Social Theology and Christian Culture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, from Thursday 2 to Saturday 4 November 2023, at the 3rd Amphitheatre of the Faculty of Theology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The Conference is held under the auspices of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

The thematic sections of the Conference are, among others, “Church architecture and accessibility”, “The rules of the Church and theological accessibility for people with disabilities”, “Theological discourse accessible to people with disabilities”, “Pastoral support for people with disabilities” and “Ethical and social aspects of disability and the imperative of accessibility”.

According to the organizers, the aim of the conference is to explore what are the conditions and possibilities of developing an “accessible” theological discourse for people with disabilities, as well as whether and in what ways church life and practice can be accessible to people with various special needs.

The aim of the Conference is to bring together in a fruitful meeting theologians and ecclesiastical bodies, representatives of groups of people with disabilities, experts in the field of disability outside the theological field and scientists active in the field of disability, to raise and elaborate the concerns that will emerge from the dialogue between the interlocutors involved, to propose actions and to formulate theological and pastoral proposals that take into account the needs and specificities of people with disabilities. Finally, in order to raise awareness and educate students on accessibility issues in the ecclesiastic environment, a didactic workshop and the celebration of the Divine Liturgy with a modern translation into sign language will be held.

For More Information: https://www.disabilityconference.gr/