On the Accessible Mystery of Repentance: Disability and Participation in Holy Confession

In this Fully Human edition of Family Matters, Presvytera Melanie welcomes Dn. Perry Hamalis, Orthodox scholar and religious ethicist, for a thoughtful conversation on the Mystery of Confession and its accessibility for all members of the Church. Together, they explore the purpose of Confession, how families and clergy can discern when children are ready to participate, and ways priests can effectively accommodate children and adults with intellectual, developmental, and communication disabilities. The discussion also considers how individuals with profound cognitive disabilities may encounter God's grace through the sacramental life of the Church, offering pastoral insights for clergy, caregivers, and families seeking to foster full participation in the Mystery of Repentance.