Faith Ability Religion and Disability News

This story does not necessarily reflect any kind of official policy of the Catholic Church, but a local Bishop's decision on whether or not a boy with autism can partake of Communion in an unconventional way.

The issue is that the boy will not swallow any portion of the host which must be consumed before the recipient leaves the area of reception. The article explains different perspectives on the problem from different groups as indicated by this paragraph:

"How terrible, how difficult for the family," said Denise Resnik, board chairwoman for the Southwest Autism Research Center and the mother of a boy who is dealing with autism. "We often seek comfort in our religion, and it would be nice to think the church would support them to the best degree possible." Diocese officials said they are doing their best to accommodate Matthew's needs, including hosts that are thinner than the norm, thicker, even smaller. Moran says none of the hosts has worked. Matthew will not swallow even a tiny crumb of the host or a drop of wine with any regularity, frequently spitting them out, he said.

After reading the article, what are your thoughts on the issue?

Link to Article: Church denies Communion to Autistic Boy

How a Crippling Disease Produced a Compassionate Minister
News article about the Rev. Emily Richards as the new assistant Rector at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Ridgefield, CT. Provides a good look at how she felt her disability "helped her become the compassionate minister she is today."

The article starts out with this great quote from Emily:

I told the vestry when I interviewed that I was looking for accessible people, not accessible buildings...

Community Connections at the University of Maryland offers a great quarterly Welcoming Spiritual Communities Newsletter. The November-December 2005 issue is titled "Putting out the Spiritual Welcome Mat" and includes articles, tip sheets and a number of other useful features. If you are interested, you can Sign up for the newsletter here.

I've collected a few links since I posted last, here you go:

• Welcoming All into Faith's Fold (login required) "But what do we do with those other congregations that choose to make no effort to welcome people who are different?"
• Access ability: Giving members the opportunity to flourish"...after years of neglect, churches and religious non-profits are beginning to meet the needs of some 54 million Americans with 'special needs.'"
• A Testament with Tennis Interesting story about a tennis ministry and a wheelchair user.
• Anglican Hope Conference Speakers Focus on Suffering Second half of the article contains quotes and thoughts from Joni Eareckson
• Disabilities Conference Adds Teen Track"Teens with disabilities often feel very isolated from their peers, but would prefer to be friends with them."