Lindsay Lazarski / WHYY
Canonization sought for disability institute founder
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The Associated Press
Lindsay Lazarski / WHYY
(Erie) — The Roman Catholic bishop of Erie has opened the canonization process for Gertrude Barber, founder of the Barber National Institute for adults and children with disabilities.
Bishop Lawrence Persico said Tuesday that Gertrude Barber, who died in 2000, was called by her faith to bring into society people considered on the periphery.
The institute, founded in 1952 as the Exceptional Children’s Center,” says it now serves more than 6,300 people with autism, intellectual disabilities or behavioral health issues.
Persico warned that the process to become a saint would likely take decades but said he was “particularly pleased” that Barber’s work would be more fully known.
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