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Becki 
on June 02, 2008 in Autism in the Neighborhood
View Original: www.msnbc.msn.com Tags: Adam Race, Roman Catholic, autism
Carol Race thinks it's important for her 13-year-old son to be in church on Sundays for Catholic Mass. Leaders of the Church of St. Joseph once felt the same way, but not anymore. They say Race's autistic son Adam is disruptive and his erratic behavior threatens the safety of other parishioners.
4 comments
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I am so torn about this; I know how disruptive our kids can be, but I don't think that banning a child from church (with a restraining order, no less) is the answer. -
This is a though subject but her son should be allowed to go to Church. I mean it is Church they are suppose to be welcoming to everyone. I think Race is right in fighting this. -
What a tough situation. If really the boy has caused as many issues as the priest claims (spitting, hitting, urinating, getting in other people's cars) and he really is a danger - I can see where the church is coming from. And yet, it seems crazy for a church - a church of all places - to get a restraining order against a child! If the mother is right ad the church is exaggerating to make their claims seem more real, well, I don't know - really, why would you WANT to go back there? Frankly, I'm not sure I would WANT to attend that church again. And maybe this a big wake-up call for the Catholic church to figure out a way to accommodate ALL people who want to attend their church. Although, historically speaking, it is my opinion that it is not out of the ordinary for the Catholic Church to make some people go through hoops to attend and if you can't get through all those hoops, you can't become a member. Which I have such BIG issues with and will NEVER understand. -
The Catholic Church and its often quiet, solemn ritual mass is not an appropriate place for a disruptive child. Even if this was an unruly, non-autistic, typically developing five year old, it would be more acceptable for the parent to remove the child from the liturgy. Since this particular boy's behaviour is recurring and at times threatening, I really have to question why the parent continues to bring him to the Church. That said, it seems rather extreme for the Church to seek the restraining order. I also have to question how this child might be benefitting from the Church, if indeed he is that out of control. As usual, there are so many issues to consider, but equal access should be paramount, where appropriate.
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