Catholic disability group sets up council on mental illness

Published: 2006-06-15

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The National Catholic Partnership on Disability has established a council on mental illness to help the Catholic community reach out to those with mental illness and their families. Jerry Freewalt of Columbus, Ohio, who chairs the governance board of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, said the group "is committed to providing resources and training to pastors, deacons and diocesan and parish personnel in their efforts to reach out to Catholics experiencing a mental illness and their families." In a statement released by the Washington-based organization, he added, "We want them to know that they are important members of the Catholic community." Meeting in May, the council approved a mission statement that read: "Following Jesus who embraced all, we assist the Catholic community in reaching out to and accompanying our brothers and sisters with mental illness and their families, assuring their rightful place in the church and society."

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