Natalia Dedinsky
The Catholic liturgy engages all of our senses. But what if one of the most important is missing: hearing.
No one understands that better than Fathers Christopher Klusman and Erik Pintar. Because both of them are Deaf. But neither views Deafness as an obstacle to their priesthood. They describe it instead as part of the vocation God has called them to.
FR. CHRISTOPHER KLUSMAN
Deaf Priest
INTERVISTA KLUSMAN
Sometimes hearing people come up to me and they ask if they can pray for me so that I become hearing. I say 'no, pray that I can be a good priest. That's it'
FR. ERIK PINTAR
Deaf Priest
I had this great desire for spiritual fatherhood throughout my life, and I didn't know what that was. I didn't think it could ever be fulfilled.
Fathers Erik and Christopher minister to a community that is often without a shepherd.
9 out of 10 of Deaf people don't associate themselves with any specific religion.
The reason is often due to a lack of access. In most dioceses, there are no interpreters for the Deaf at Mass, and no opportunity to attend a liturgy in sign language.
FR. ERIK PINTAR
Deaf Priest
The hearing community of my diocese has been so surprised. Yeah, I mean just to see them visible, they're applauding and you know, together and we have several deaf-blind also. And just to see that inclusivity and access. And just the joy and the visual of sign language.
Both priests say American Sign Language is central to their ministry. Confessions are done face to face, and the liturgy itself unfolds through movement and expression, following Deaf culture.
Hearing and Deaf people alike experience how the Mass comes to life through sign, creating an opportunity to view the mysteries of faith from a new perspective.
FR. CHRISTOPHER KLUSMAN
Deaf Priest
After Mass a hearing woman came up to me and she said 'I now understand that Mass in ASL itself is Incarnational because the Word becomes flesh. The Word becomes flesh in the hands, facial expressions, body language, movements and gestures of the priest. The Word becomes visible.'
Thanks to the work of canon lawyers, the celebration of the Mass in sign language has been confirmed as fully valid in every sense.
These priests are doing everything they can to increase access to religious celebrations. But they still cannot reach everyone. Fathers Erik and Christopher are two of only fifteen Deaf priests throughout the world.
