Life as a Christian Woman

Many of you have commented on the blog I did regarding Adam Race, the 13 year old autistic boy in Minnesota who’s church took out a restraining order to keep him from attending services there (Church takes out restraining order against family in Minnesota). You may remember that The Church of St. Joseph argues that Adam, who stands over six feet tall and weighs more than 225 pounds, presents a danger to others and has had to be restrained by his parents. In court papers, The Rev. Daniel Walz claims that Adam has hit a child and nearly knocked over elderly parishioners, has spit and urinated in the church.

Carol Race denies the allegations. “He’s never actually injured anyone,” she said. “He’s never knocked down anyone. He’s never urinated on anyone or spit on anyone.”

Carol Race will appear in court today (June 2) for violating the restraining order. She contends that, as Catholics, it is a sin for her family to not attend Mass on Sundays and every holy day of obligation. When the church offered a video feed to the basement, the Race family refused, saying that would not fulfill their obligation of attending mass.

Others have taken up the cause of the Race family. The Rupps, a family from St. Paul who has an autistic daughter, made the drive to St. Joseph’s on Memorial Day weekend, and sat in the pew where the Races normally sit, in a show of support for the family.

A lay mediator is scheduled to meet with church officials and the family on Wednesday, in what has become a very contentious battle. On the one hand, it can be said that no one should be denied attending church. But on the other hand, members have the right to expect to be safe when they attend. Many Christians face health reasons that keep them from attending mass… that does not preclude them from heaven. The service can be brought to them, or other arrangements can be made for observance of the Eucharist. There are provisions for those who cannot attend mass.

I will continue to provide follow-ups as they arise to this story that has touched so many in different ways. But let’s all be praying that this situation will be worked out without further animosity between the two groups, and that, in the end, God will be praised.

And please remember, beyond the sound bites and headlines, there are people on both sides who are both hurting and looking for answers.

I encourage you to click the following link for an interesting look at both viewpoints. The first is a letter from a priest who knows the mother, Carol Race, while the second is from a mother who also has a severely autistic child. Both opinions are heartfelt and informative.

Two informed viewpoints on the situation