News-Record.com

This is an unusual situation. Now that the legalities have come into play it is a "we said/they said" situation. It does appear that at some points that Adam Race was somewhat disruptive. Regardless of that, is that a reason for a restraining order? Does the church still want the tithes of the Race family?

I fully believe that a restraining order against a family in church is a wrong thing to do. This can be a dividing line for the others within the church. The ramifications of which could be devastating.

I have serious doubts about the Adam Race being allowed to run/roam free. If the family knows the present tendencies, then a family member should always be present.

To deny the family the right to attend mass seems really far fetched. It seems that a mediation should have tried much harder to resolve this. Also, it would seem that the family would know when it would be necessary to remove Adam from a mass, at least I would hope. I have been in a service with a severely autistic child. Those parents knew when to remove the child because of disruptive behavior. I can only hope that each family in this situation is just as keenly aware.

Shalom

Hi Nancy -

I read your Saturday N&R article about families going hungry this summer -
Any idea as to how many of these families have a member who is overweight, uses tobacco products, drinks beer/wine etc., has a cell phone, purchases lottery tickets, has a color TV and AC, eats at a fast food restaurant but will not get a McDonald's type job? Any thought as to how many have, one way or another, participated in the sale or use of illegal drugs, conceived a child that is now a drop-out or is otherwise disruptive in the public school system, and continues to conceive children which they cannot nuture and afford?

nuture = nurture

http://www.wadenapj.com/articles/index.cfm?id=10335§ion=news

"...Adam’s intelligence level is at the age of a 3 or 4 year old, said his father, John Race.

Her son communicates with their horses in his own way, Carol said. Adam enjoys horseback riding and, with guidance, can saddle and bridle a horse. The growing teenager also helps his mother carry things.

“He’s very strong,” she said.

Carol said they aren’t able to get an accurate height on Adam because he moves around too much. She estimates him to be about 6 feet one inches tall. His weight varies from 230 to 240 pounds, Carol said.

Carol admits that it can take her, her husband, and their 15-year-old son, Joshua, to physically restrain Adam during church at times. They use felt strips to control his limbs and sit on him, which calms him down.

As a way of dealing with concerns over Adam’s behavior, the church said it has offered accommodations such as streaming video in the basement, setting up the cry room for the family and holding weekly Masses in the Race’s home."

..."The physical importance of Mass is something that is missing from the whole discussion, Carol said. She would not take Adam to places like the Mall of America or to a band or choir concert, she said."

????? Sounds as if the church has made offers to acommodate this family - and those offers protect the physical safety and well-being of all other church members. The mother's words attest to the potential for risk to others her son presents. I'm sorry, but if a mother and a father and a 15 year old sibling have to act as a team to physically restrain- AND SIT ON this kid- in church--- then perhaps it's not the priest who is being unreasonable here.

" . . . if a mother and a father and a 15 year old sibling have to act as a team to physically restrain- AND SIT ON this kid- in church--- then perhaps it's not the priest who is being unreasonable here."

My thoughts exactly.

Plus, it has always been the policy of churches to maintain an atmosphere of reverence and attentiveness in the sanctuary, so that parishoers can hear and concentrate on the worshp and teaching. I don't know ALL the story here, but if the parents refuse to respond to repeated attempts to restrain and control this unfortunate young man, then perhaps legal means were necessary. I do agree that it should be a last resort in a church scenario; but if the church officials were at their wits end, I can sympathize with their actions.