A Minnesota woman pleaded not guilty today to violating a restraining order that barred her autistic son from attending mass at a local Catholic church and vowed to fight for the rights of disabled people to attend church.
Adam Race, 13, receives a playful hug from his sister, Chiara, 12, as his brother Joshua, 15, looks...
Adam Race, 13, receives a playful hug from his sister, Chiara, 12, as his brother Joshua, 15, looks on Thursday, May 29, 2008, in Eagle Bend, Minn. Adam Race was banned from a Catholic church in Bertha, Minn., after the family and parish could not agree on accommodations for Adam, who is severely autistic.
(Dave Kolpack/AP Photo)In an unusual conflict between a pastor and a member of his flock, the Church of St. Joseph in Bertha, Minn., filed a restraining order last month to stop congregation member Carol Race and her 13-year-old son Adam from attending church services.
In court papers, the church pastor, Daniel Walz, says Adam, who is autistic, is disruptive and dangerous to other parishioners. He claims the 6-foot, 225-pound boy has hit another child, spat at members of the church and urinated in the church.
Adam's mother Carol Race denies that her son is dangerous and says it's important for him to be able to attend Sunday mass.
"I know the church firmly teaches that all people are welcome to come to mass," she said. "My son has a right to be there. And the pastor really does not have the authority to tell an individual that they can't come to mass."
Neither Walz nor Diocese of St. Cloud spokeswoman Jane Marrin could be immediately reached for comment on Monday.
Race said that church officials offered to have Adam watch mass from a video feed in the basement. She rejected that offer. "From a spiritual standpoint, there's nothing that says watching mass on TV is the same as being present," she said.
She said Adam has had what she calls "meltdowns" while at church. He lies on the floor and flails his arms and legs. Race and her husband have at times needed to sit on Adam or bind his arms and legs with a strip of fleece to get him to calm down, she said.
She said that Adam's behavior has improved in the last few months, but also admitted that Adam once ran into the parking lot after church services, turned on a car and revved the engine.
"Adam's continued presence on parish grounds not only endangers the parishioners, it is disruptive to the devout celebration of the Eucharist," Walz wrote. "I have repeatedly asked John and Carol to keep Adam from church; they have refused to do so."
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I wonder if the kid really understands what religion is about? Could mommy be bringing the kid to church just to comfort herself? Hmmmm.....
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