“I believe that art can be a strong way to deliver a message more than any spoken speech,” said Fadi El Halabi, a member of the Maronite Church in Lebanon, the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network Middle East Coordinator, a psychotherapist, couple counsellor and wheelchair dancer, speaking at the recent 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC).
He said, “Art is a witness to the richness of human nature and gifts. It gives a voice to address stigma, marginalization and disempowerment that has characterized our world. Let the church use art to boldly proclaim the truth about the injustices in its midst and bring joy and active hope to all humanity.”
“There are many barriers with the main ones being misleading theologies and cultural beliefs. This has left many persons with disabilities stigmatized and marginalized. They have not been able to fully contribute their gifts to the church and society like other persons,” he explained.
The feature story of the October/November issue of Canada Lutheran is a very small sampling of the ELCIC’s global engagement, helping us to take up the calling of Christ’s love to repentance, reconciliation and justice in the face of war, inequality and sins against creation.
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