Zagreb, March 15, 1996 (IKA) – Following the Ninth Plenary Session of the Croatian Conference of Bishops that ended yesterday in Zagreb, the bishops published Directives for Pastoral Assistance to Handicapped Persons. Emphasizing how the Christian community has always protected “the weak and the needy”, the bishops#! directives particularly refer to “children and young persons with handicaps, including wounded Croatian defenders with permanent disabilities and many other persons who suffer from reduced psychophysical ability, whether since birth or as the result of accident”. The bishops praised the pastoral work in parishes with handicapped persons, especially the efforts of certain priests, monks and nuns. They stipulated that “wheelchair access must be provided in all parish churches, pastoral facilities and significant Church institutions”. The bishops also specified that in parishes where there are hospitals, sanatoriums and homes for the handicapped, permanent pastoral care for these persons must be provided, in cooperation with the parish and diocese Caritas. They recommended that classes in defectology should be held in all Church schools, in order to train future priests, deacons and catechism instructors in assisting handicapped persons. The bishops also called for suitably furnished day-care centers for handicapped children, enabling their parents to work with peace of mind. In providing such services to children and their parents, religious orders have a particular calling. In pastoral work with handicapped persons, they must be drawn into community life and provided with regular responsibilities, as far as possible. On the level of the parish community, it is not necessary to organize special masses, prayers or catechism classes for handicapped persons. Instead, it is necessary “to introduce their participation with the entire parish in the Holy Mass, processions, pilgrimages, excursions …” The bishops also recommended the publication of books, manuals, compact discs, video cassettes and other aids as well as religious literature intended for catechism and pastoral work with handicapped persons. Directly addressing pastoral workers of the Catholic Church, the bishops called for the entire society to make “the care of the weak and needy a permanent obligation”. “Young and adult handicapped persons must not be neglected when programs are planned for a happier life for all the people in our homeland. The greatness of the great is shown in their attitude toward the needs of the small”, advised the bishops, invoking God#!s blessing on all who suffer handicaps.