There’s no question about the role of religion in Italy. Christianity is the most followed religion in the world, with over 2 million believers. Catholicism is also the most followed denomination in Italy. For the hearing community in Italy, religion is more or less an inevitable part of life and culture, but what is the story for deaf people? In this post, we’ll discuss the role of religion in the deaf experience in Italy and how accessible the word of God is for them.
The Religion in Italy
More than 70% of Italy practices Catholicism. Around 15% identify as atheist or agnostic, and 2% practice Islam. From this, we can see that the government accepts practicing any religion, as they cannot legally discriminate.
You can see it everywhere in Italy, from famous landmarks like the Duomo in Milan to the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. Even though Italy is a secular country, Roman Catholic traditions are still deeply ingrained in the landscape and everyday life. Before there was a separation between church and state in 1984, religion also took over law and social structure in Italy. Life was through the eyes of God because that’s the only thing that seemed logical. More so with the older generation, religion was present in all facets of life. The Catholic faith was a necessary guide for the older generation to live a pious life.
Times have changed, and so has the newer generation of Italy. More liberal ideals and perspectives alter how religion impacts life. Catholicism is less influential to the Italian youth, especially within the deaf community. They seek a spiritual journey on their own accord.
Life for the Deaf Community in Italy
Italy is a developed, first-world nation in Europe. It’s easy to assume that development equates to an easy life for deaf people in a society where they have autonomy and accessibility. However, in Italy, this is quite the opposite. Italian Sign Language (ISL) was only recognized in 2021, which presents difficulties. The lack of communication ultimately alienates the deaf community.
Even though all of Italy recognizes Sign Language, there’s still a gap between acknowledging the deaf community and granting them national rights. That includes unequal employment opportunities, the availability of residential schools, and government assistance. Some things could make deaf lives easier because if there are more opportunities, it might lead to a more fulfilling life. However, Italy still has more work to do to reach inclusiveness within society.
The Purpose of Religion
Religion is what people use to lead a more meaningful life. Having faith is often associated with possessing good morals and ethics. Humans want to believe that there is a greater being out there. In simplest terms, religion explains a lot of complex things in life. It is a cultural system that governs many people’s lives.
For Italy, Christianity is an institutionalized religion that provides a framework for developing a country and the aspects that it consists of. Whether each individual is willingly part of it or follows unwritten social rules, there is no denying that religion plays a role in Italian culture.
The Experience of Religion
Why do we exercise, travel or learn a language? The answer to that is a feeling. Many of these activities produce chemicals that enhance the senses and make you feel good. It is why people follow religion. Attending a service with others keeps a closeness and develops a tight-knit community. To receive and interpret the message with others that share the same beliefs. It’s an enlightening experience.
These are feelings evoked when the service is in a language you can understand. But look on the other side and think about how it feels to go to a place where you cannot understand a word. You feel lost, confused, and maybe empty, wondering how to make sense of this strange place, even if you have background knowledge in that area.
That is what the experience is like for deaf Italians. Each part of Italy differs in access to religion because the size of the deaf population varies. Most churches in Italy do not have a deaf priest or an interpreter to relay the message. There are only two deaf churches located in Rome and Florence. While a sizable population speaks signed Italian and ISL, there still needs to be better communication. Without understanding, how can there be any feeling or connection? There is no compression in the meaning of the service, and it takes away those emotions or feelings.
It’s a complex and multifaceted issue.
Religion can give a sense of identity to deaf Italians. It also forms micro-communities within the deaf population. All of these things give the Italians a sense of purpose and knowing they aren’t alone. They come from similar backgrounds but can come together based on religion. And some deaf Italians may find some solace in a faith-based community. However, the lack of inclusion and inaccessibility can cause apathy and create a negative experience.
Accessibility through Sign Language is the main factor for deaf Italians. It’s the one thing that breaks down barriers and builds an inclusive environment. Sign Language is a crucial way of spreading the word of God and teaching spiritual concepts. The deaf will interpret the message and grow a personal relationship with God.
Advancing Accessibility in Italy
Although Italy made initiatives outside religion to make the lives of the deaf inclusive such as signing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and establishing some associations like the Italian National Agency for the Deaf, the church still has a long way to go. There are many things to provide the deaf, to enhance the experience in the church.
The deaf is a marginalized community in Italy. They continue experiencing prejudice in inaccessibility to their native language, employment, and other areas. It’s inhumane to deny the right to practice faith due to the lack of inclusivity in the church. The barriers are overwhelming, which leads to a lack of caring about an entity. It is the opposite reaction that the Roman Catholic church in Italy wants.
The Catholic church in Italy needs to strive for diversity to widen the individual experience in faith. Efforts to increase accessibility promote understanding and enrich the lives of the deaf community in Italy.
To learn more about the role that religion plays in other deaf communities, visit,
Thumbnail Credit: Photo by Aliona & Pasha
