Church Denied First Communion To Eight-Year-Old Autistic Boy: Parents

Pope Benedict XVI Celebrates Mass At Nationals Stadium

The parents of an eight-year-old boy said that officials at their New Jersey church told them their son could not receive his First Communion because he is autisticAnthony LaCugna, who is non-verbal, was scheduled to receive the sacrament in April, but church officials explained that because the boy is "unable to determine right from wrong due to his disability," he is not ready to for his First Communion.

"Father Bambric at Saint Aloysius Church in Jackson and the Archdiocese of Trenton came to this position since Anthony is unable to determine right from wrong due to his disability they feel he is not up to the 'benchmark required to make his communion.' This is very hard and upsetting to comprehend when we all are created by God, and now our son is being shunned from the Catholic faith due to his inability to communicate," the boy's father, Jimmy, wrote on Facebook.

Anthony's mother, Nicole, is upset because she feels her son is being discriminated against because he is non-verbal.

"Nowhere in the Bible does it ever show discrimination against anybody," she told News 12 New Jersey.

After Jimmy's post went viral, the church released a statement clarifying their position and suggesting that Anthony can receive communion in April.

"New information has shed light on ways to further adapt our preparations and reception for children with severe cognitive and developmental issues. This is thanks to the work of Canon Lawyers, Theologians and Pope Francis which will allow the reception of these sacraments. The basic concept is the child should be presumed to have an inner spiritual relationship with God and this would be sufficient in these particular cases, thus this is a development of our guidelines based on the latest understanding. "

The church said they contacted the LaCugnas but Jimmy said he has not heard anything from the Father Bambric.

"He directly has never once reached out to us outside of his statement, which was a broad statement to everybody in the community. Not us particularly," Jimmy said.

The family told the news station they plan to create an autism awareness foundation called Through Anthony's Eyes.

Photo: Getty Images


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content