New Jersey Family: Church Is Denying First Communion To Our Son Because He Has Autism

Welcome to FREE BYTE. I just read an article that not only disturbed me, but it hurt my soul as well. What was supposed to be a blessed time for the family of eight-year-old Anthony LaCugna has turned into upset after they were told their son, who has autism, could not participate in his First Holy Communion in the coming months. I don't know what's sadder in this story: the fact that the child is being denied his FIRST Holy Communion, or the post by his parents on Facebook.

If there is anything I would pray for, it's unity in the Body of Christ. This right here is nothing close to unity in the Body of Christ. How do I know? There are many scriptures in the Bible that shows Christ including EVERYONE!

I get it when Pastors warn their congregations about being served The Lord's Supper. In case you missed it, here are those instructions:

1st Corinthians 11:17-34 wrote:²³ For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴ and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

²⁷ So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸ Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. ²⁹ For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. ³⁰ That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. ³¹ But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. ³² Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

³³ So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. ³⁴ Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

And when I come I will give further directions.

Those instructions never denied someone from partaking of The Lord's Supper due to a disability, so my question is who is this man to deny a boy with autism The Lord's Supper?


The family has not heard back as to whether they want him to return to partake in his first communion or not. According to Nicole La Cugna, the boy's mother, they don't want to return if the Rev. John Bambrick (pictured above) is there.

To my earlier statement, I pray everyday for unity in the Body of Christ. At the church I'm from, we include everyone. We advise the parents not to give their child The Lord's Supper until they have made the decision to give his/her life over to Jesus Christ. As a church deacon, I am all for unity, therefore, I believe this pastor is wrong. He could have advised this family not to let him partake of The Lord's Supper until he decided to follow Jesus Christ with everything that within him. And you wonder why so many people are leaving the church and not returning.

Something to think about and this is directed to all the believers: If Jesus Christ denied you, where would YOU be?

Just Saying