Bengaluru: Archbishop Bernard Moras celebrated his 75th birthday with the differently abled children from various institutions in Bangalore today.

The program is organised in the Archbishop’s house from 11. 30 to 1 noon. About 150 children who are differently abled participated for the program.

The program provided an opportunity of the differently abled to exhibit their special talents through cultural programs. They enjoyed a special lunch with the Archbishop. Archbishop personally distributed a gift to each of the 150 children a birthday gift of a school bag.

The following organisations participated in the program- Sophia Opportunity School, Cottalingao Special school, Assisi special school, Jyothi Seva, Sumanahalli, BCN, Project Vision, St Joseph’s special school and ProVision Asia. Each of the institutions give a cultural program to wish the Archbishop.

Archbishop expressed that it was desire to have an inclusive Church where all the differently abled could be given opportunity to be part of the life of the Church. He said that the Archdicoese will reach out to the differently abled through our institutions. He thanked all the persons who are working for the differently abled in the Archdicoese, specially the members of the Commission for the differently abled.

Archbishop Bernard Moras has a special love for the children with disabilities. In order to reach out to the persons who are differently abled in the Archdiocese, he set up a Commission for the Differently abled last year. A consultation meeting with directors of various centres in Bangalore working for the differently abled was done to develop an action plan for the Commission. It is the first Diocese in the country to have a separate Commission to look into the needs of the differently abled.

The Commission conducted a Christmas gathering with 200 differently abled children from various institutions and parishes last year. On December 3rd, International Day for the Disabled, special prayers were organised in every Church and awareness was created to the community as to how to include and integrate the differently abled in the life of the parish.

Commission has planned to ensure that every place of worship becomes accessible to the differently abled. Wheelchairs and toilets that are accessible to them is to be ensured in every Church.

Archbishop has been involved with the health field for long being part of St John’s Medical College, Bangalore Fr Mueller’s hospital, Mangalore and also as the Chairperson of the Health Commission of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India. He participated in the special meeting on children with Autism organised by Pope in Rome two years ago.

Thus it is very meaningful that archbishop has chosen to have a special birthday celebration with the differently abled children.