Q: Archbishop J, does the Church really care about persons living with mental illness?
In the creation story, after God created all other species, He said, “Let us make mankind in our image.” (Gen 1:24). We read, further, “God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Gen 1:26).
We were created in the image and likeness of God. Not some of us, but all of us! Thus, each person has a unique and special dignity, not dependent upon external or internal characteristics. We are all God’s children. We all deserve equal dignity.