This paper examines how the disabled were considered in the Western Medieval Church. It centers on Thomas Aquinas, St. Louis IX, and some women mystics. The results of this research can be summarized as follows. First, a disability was not always associated with a sin in the Medieval Church. Secondly, the intellectually disabled, who lack cognitive ability to understand the meaning of the sacrament, were not excluded from the Sacrament of Baptism. Thirdly, contrary to the rigorous prohibition against the disabled performing sacred rituals in Leviticus, medieval priests were not prevented from holding their office just because of physical impairment. Finally, disabled people were not considered miserable or beneficiaries of charity but spiritually valuable and beneficial in maintaining a spiritually healthy society.

In view of our findings, the general assumption of modern authors that medieval societies saw a link between sin and disability to the extent that the Church sanctioned the abuse of disabled people turns out to be a prejudice. On the contrary, the disabled in the Medieval Church were never excluded from the order of grace. As H.-J. Stiker, the author of a classical monograph on the history of disability, said, disabled people in the Middle Ages, when compared with those in the previous and following ages, can be found under the influence of ethical and divine love.

• 손은실(장로회신학대학교, 학술연구교수) | Son, Eunsil