The local Church this week concluded a four-day seminar aimed at improving volunteer care for the disabled, who are often neglected or ostracized by family and society.

Holy Cross Auxiliary Bishop Theotonius Gomes of Dhaka organized the event, which was attended by 60 animators and volunteers.

The prelate, who also serves as the chairman of the Episcopal Commission for Health Care, said yesterday that the seminar focused on promoting greater service among volunteers.

“We are working to serve disabled people because they are often neglected, even hated, by family and relatives. In God’s eyes everyone is equal and worthy of love and care,” he said.

The seminar included sessions on prayer and meditation to assist volunteers in learning what was needed of them in service to the disabled.

Birok Ekka, a student volunteer who attended the seminar, said the sessions were helpful in learning more about the needs of society’s outcasts.

Another attendee, Julius Gomes, 45, said the prayer and meditation sessions also helped him overcome inner struggles in serving those in need by teaching him that all are worthy of care.

Sobuj Toju, 40, a community center director said she has been criticized for her work with the disabled but would continue volunteering.

“Some people call me mad because I serve the disabled. Some people offer me more money to leave this service, but I don’t care. I serve them because I love, and the seminar empowers me to keep up my conviction.”

French national John Daniel visited Bangladesh in 1988 to promote locally an initiative to highlight the needs of disabled communities that he had conducted worldwide since the 1970s.

In 2001, the first pilgrimage by disabled people was organized at the Marian Shrine in Baromari Catholic Church in northeastern Mymensingh diocese.

Nine Church-run community centers now provide services to about 3,000 disabled people, with the assistance of 600 animators and volunteers.

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