NJ Family Outraged After Church Denies Boy With Autism First Communion
The family of 8-year-old Anthony LaCugna, who has autism, was left outraged after their church told them he could not participate in his First Holy Communion due to his disability preventing him from determining right from wrong.
The boy’s mother, Nicole LaCugna, says her son was denied the sacrament by Rev. John Bambrick at the Saint Aloysius Parish, in Jackson, New Jersey. She says, “God created everybody. He created my son the way he is for a reason. (Communion) is supposed to be a blessed day, not a day of not thinking my son doesn’t belong. This is discrimination against my child.”
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The church posted on social media, “Our parish has dozens of children with special needs, disabilities, autism spectrum, cognitive delay, allergies, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, limited cognition and other physical, emotional and cognitive classifications. We strive to serve these populations to the best of our abilities.”
They add, “Since Monday, we have been researching how we could best assist the most profoundly disabled in a better way. The family many of you have advocated for has been informed of this new guidance that will allow further adaptations to Preparation and reception of the Sacraments.”
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While Nicole says she hasn’t heard from the church on its new rulings, she says, “I know God believes in my son, but that man does not believe in my son. I’ve been very transparent with the church about Anthony from the beginning. I knew my son wouldn’t be able to sit still.’ Do you know how many people have experienced this too? We are just trying to make awareness in the community.”
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