A young boy with autism was denied his First Communion at a New Jersey Catholic church, leaving his parents along with many online, upset.

Eight-year-old Anthony LaCugna, who is non-verbal, was denied the sacrament at Saint Aloysius Parish in Jackson Tuesday, according to his father's Facebook post, because Saint Aloysius priest, the Rev. John Bambrick, said Anthony is "unable to determine right from wrong due to his disability."

https://www.foxnews.com/us/new-jersey-catholic-church-communion-boy-denied

this really hits home for me as it's the same stance my church has (LCMS). I understand the thought process, but I don't think it's right. Thoughts?

Wrong on so many levels...the kid is already dealing with more complications socially than you and I would ever fathom. They should be honored the child wants to be baptized.

My philosophy teacher once told me, if you don't like your church keep searching for another one till you find one that meets your needs.

he is baptized. he cannot receive communion or be confirmed.

And in no way am I bashing.

I am not catholic Bob so I want to be clear about ghat first-

But I absolutely think its wrong-
I’ll be curious if this is a common practice among priest

It's a matter of the heart, I don't think the ceremonial stuff really makes a difference.

Great thing to settle on - Bob his ticket is already payed for and the journey is already paved for him! Gracious Lord thank you!

that's just it In the catholic (and my lutheran) church, it's not ceremonial. We consider it the real body and blood of Christ. it's a big deal. we also don't have open communion.

Your good! Thanks for the input.

I swear this isn't meant to fall under the "bashing" prohibition you set out - it's just my lifetime of observations and personal experiences - but I've always thought of churches (and religion) as being places of exclusion. Whether someone is gay, divorced, some other subsect of a similar religion but not quite their own, something else, anything else, whatever, there's a church out there willing to exclude you for it.

I'm not bashing anyone's church in particular, but I guess I'm saying that I'm not surprised. To that, I'll add that I agree with ya' Bob, it's not right and it's nonsense.

Fortunately I don't have too much investment with such things as my people chew the heads off bats and drink goat blood under the pale light of the moon. Those are activities for the whole family - no exclusion necessary.

that is why I quit churches, Episcopalian as well as others growing up.

goes against what the bible says.

Matthew 18:1-3
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 10:14
But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.


and who is a priest to determine if a child is "good or bad"?

It seems to me that it's the priest that's unable to determine right from wrong. I thought we're all God's children. I think it's disgraceful.

This is why I go to a Cowboy Church...doesn't matter where you came from, what you are wearing, who you know, or what you do for a living....heck, we don't even care if you have been saved or are still dependent on drugs/etc.....we just want you to come on in and worship the Lord, learn about His glory, and hopefully you will turn to Christ and be delivered into happiness!! But, if you are still on the fence, we welcome you to keep on coming back....no pressure.

it's wrong.