Family accuses church of denying son communion because he has autism

GREEN TREE, Pa. — The family of a young boy tells Channel 11 News that their son was ready to take his First Holy Communion, but church leaders wouldn’t allow him because he has autism. However, the leaders at Saint Simon and Jude in Green Tree said that’s not the reason they barred the 7-year-old from participating.

“He practiced so hard. He practiced his prayer hands. He practiced walking up slowly,” said Tricia Frances, the boy’s mother.

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Frances told Channel 11 News that Brendon had been practicing when four nights before his First Holy Communion, she got a phone call from the church’s director, who said her son would not be allowed to participate.

“(It was) something I was looking forward to, my family was looking forward to, he was looking forward to,” she said. “They were afraid of what his actions would be during the mass. He doesn't like the taste of the bread.”

Frances explained that Brendon’s autism makes him sensitive to touch, sound and even taste, which she said the church had been aware of for years.

Rev. Jay Donahue, the pastor of Saint Simon and Jude, said it was Brendon himself who wanted to put off his First Holy Communion.

“For me, it was simply that he said he didn't want First Holy Communion, and I didn't feel I should be the one to force something upon him,” said Donahue.

Meanwhile, Frances says her son does want to take part in the church ritual and that it’s his sensory issues that are keeping him from completing the ceremony.

“He wants to receive his First Holy Communion. He just has sensory issues,” she said. “He thinks God doesn't love him anymore, and he thinks God doesn't love him because of his stupid brain.”

Donahue said the church has provided Brendon with a private tutor and believes he will soon be ready for the sacred tradition.

“It could have been handled differently. I don’t want other families to have to go through this,” Frances said.

WPXI