黑料社 Stock Photo
The parents of a 7-year-old non-verbal boy with autism were enraged after a priest kicked their son out of the church while they were in the middle of聽 the baptismal rites for their baby daughter.
The parents said that 鈥渙f all people,鈥� a priest should have been 鈥渕ore sympathetic to a child with special needs,鈥� as per ABC-owned WABC last Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Nicky Vicidomini was supposedly forced to leave a church in New Jersey in the聽 United States because he was playing ball during the ceremony.
His mom, Julia Vicidomini, tried to explain to the priest that her son has autism, but the priest allegedly did not listen. She added that the priest was 鈥渦nprofessional鈥� and 鈥渞uined鈥� their celebration.
鈥淲hen I confirmed the date of the event, I was told it would, in fact, be a private celebration for just our family, no one else,鈥� the mom said in a now-deleted Facebook post. 鈥淲ith this information, I felt more comfortable taking Nicky as he doesn鈥檛 do well with a full mass and large group settings.鈥�
The family admitted that they were not able to inform the priest ahead of time that they have a child with special needs. However, after the baptism when they tried explaining the situation, the priest supposedly refused to apologize.
Due to the incident, Julia said that her family does not intend to go back to the church.
鈥淚 intend to withdraw my friendship and find a church that is more accommodating to children with special needs,鈥� she was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Newark apologized on behalf of the parish for the 鈥渁brupt behavior鈥� of their pastor.
鈥淭he pastor was unaware that the sibling playing in a nearby candle room during the ceremony has autism,鈥� the archdiocese said. 鈥淭he pastor did not understand the child鈥檚 behavior, he felt unprepared to respond appropriately, and his reaction to the situation was not pastoral.鈥�
The statement added that the priest 鈥渁cknowledges and is regretful for the mistake.鈥� The archdiocese鈥檚 office specializing in persons with disabilities (PWDs) has been in touch with the family to 鈥渟upport healing.鈥�
Nicky has a rare condition called Sotos syndrome, according to the mom, and autism is a manifestation of it. Julia is also the mom of 11-month-old Sofia and 16-year-old Christopher Davis.
鈥淲e are still upset but we are starting to heal as we await a personal apology from Father Luke,鈥� Julia said, as per People on the same day.
The mom hopes their story will raise more awareness as well as acceptance for children with autism and other special needs.
鈥淚ndividuals with special needs need to feel comfortable being able to go out into the community in any capacity that they are able to handle, even if it means having a ball or toy with them for comfort,鈥� she was quoted as saying. 鈥淭he way our son was treated is just another example of how there is still much to be done to educate others of those with disabilities.鈥澛�Cha Lino /ra
RELATED STORIES:
Pregnant woman dies after getting hit by driver on drugs; baby in critical condition
Father and son doctors who treated patients die from COVID-19