ASSOCIATION OF THE COMMUNITY POPE JOHN XXIII

Father Oreste Benzi Ambassador of Peace against the United Nations and ambassador for deaf people in the Vatican.

On October 21. 2007 a special meeting in Naples Piazza Plebiscito with Pope Benedict XVI took place. Hundreds of deaf people followed the Pope's Mass in heavy rain and umbrellas. The Community Pope John XXIII was there with Father Oreste Benzi, accompanied by Patricio Castillo.

Sign language interpreters interpreted the Mass and there was a giant screen to follow the words of the Holy Father for an International Interreligious Encounter.

Thanks to the invitation of Cardinal Crescenzo Sepe, Archbishop of Naples, deaf people were favored guests, and thanks for the support of Pope John XXIII Community for interpreting the mass.

During the meeting a delivery of a letter for the recognition of Sign Language by the Church (read the letter in Italian) was made. Because there is a need and debt by our Church to welcome these brothers of the Catholic faith in the Eucharist internal and to translate everything into sign language for proper monitoring of the priest's words and therefore integrate everyone into the celebration of the mass.

Patricio Castillo (responsible for the Pastoral Service of the Deaf and Their Families in Project Sol) , made this appeal with the support of Father Oreste Benzi as it was one of his last wishes:

Holiness, we hope Sign Language will be recognized by the Church! We have to welcome the deaf brothers in spiritual and religious dimension in the true church of Jesus.

• LINK
• Proyecto Sol and the Community of Pope John XXIII
• Spirituality and Mission of the Proyecto Sol
• Care of Deafs and their Families
• Letter for the Recognition of the Sign Language by the Church (available in italian)
• Father Oreste Benzi
• Saint Filippo Smaldone
• Father Agustín Yanes Valer