A church provides many with a place where they can explore their spirituality and discuss theology. It also acts an important community center where people socialize, volunteer, and hey, occasionally play a good game of bingo.
But some churches, like St. Elizabeth of Hungary in New York’s Upper East Side, has something no other provides — a sanctuary for the deaf. The church’s Rev. Msgr. Patrick McCahill is the only priest in the diocese who is fluent in sign language, embodying the kind of catholic Pope Francis is always advocating.
“There are people on the margins who need to be served,” says McCahill, who delivers masses in a language few who are not hearing impaired bother to learn.
Many who are disabled feel isolated — until they can find a community who share their problem. So deaf parishioners from far and wide visit St. Elizabeth’s because of its unique features.
But due to budget problems, St. Elizabeth is slated to close, along with 31 other small churches, in August of 2015. It will merge with the neighboring St. Monica’s Catholic Church, which claims it will take the needs of the deaf into consideration.
But McCahill has his doubts. He feels they will be considered second-class citizens in an already-established church that isn’t focused on the deaf community’s plight.
To hear more about this church’s plea for support, watch the video below.
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