Feeling like i’m Being discriminated against by my Priest for being Autistic

[Wm777]

Okay, I’m done. Sorry for talking so much.

It’s an important point (for a lot of people), and it deserves further attention than what we will be able to accomplish here anyway.

 

[TheLittleLady]

“Sir, I have to ask you something, and was wondering if you could please tell me if you are a terrorist carrying a bomb?”

“Because terrorists are known for their honesty when confronted with direct questions” would have been my answer

 

[Bruised_Reed]

The usher probably hated even asking but did exactly what was asked to appease someone.

 

[CRV]

a stewardship committee that I was a part of

that’s ONE ministry

Altar Serving at mass

that’s now TWO ministries

Altar Serving … at funerals and weddings.

There’s #3 and 4 ministries (ways in which you are serving God and your parish), albeit under one umbrella of Altar Serving.

"He is also trained in Eucharistic ministry … There are also several other Altar servers trained in Eucharistic ministry including one of the woman I usually do altar serving with " (Quoted jazzy0710)

Maybe it isn’t personally directed at you, but that he doesn’t believe there is a true need for more EMHCs’ than there already are at the parish Masses. Perhaps the number now is sufficient, as there seems to be several trained in this ministry already.

Perhaps another reason may be that he feels you already contribute so much in all the ways you do - and that taking on more may be too much. There is a danger of other people thinking/being of the opinion of "Mary there, Mary here, Mary everywhere! I’ve encountered that attitude regarding people in two different parishes.

Another way to look at this is - perhaps this consistent refusal of Fathers is Gods’ way of indicating His Will for you in this matter? Perhaps it isn’t God’s Will that you serve in this manner (of being a EMHC)?

Regarding fundraising - the fact that Father would be concerned about the negative response/gripe from some parishoners could be “More money - they’re always asking for more!” I had a parishoner say this to me after one Mass - so it is a geniune concern. There always seems to be some need/charity/appeal that we are being asked to contribute to.

My suggestion would be to take this to prayer. Directly ask God to clearly show you what His Will is for you in this matter. And be prepared that His Will may not coincide with your will! Earnestly ask God this, and then wait and see how He answers you.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I dont think the issue is one of autistic discrimination. It seems more like he’s avoiding her because he didnt like what she said in the confessional.

How do you know this? You cannot read the priest’s mind, and the confessional business happened 2 years ago! I can’t even remember stuff that happened last week. Unless this person confessed a mass murder, I doubt a busy elderly pastor remembers a 2 year old confession.

If I had to guess, I’d say if he’s avoiding her at all it’s because he’s tired of repeatedly being asked about fundraising or about her taking the EMHC course when he has already decided the answer is No on both. But I’d only be guessing. He could be avoiding her because he doesn’t like her hair color for all I know. Or maybe he’s not avoiding her and she’s just assuming that.

The one thing I would say about some autistic people, as I’ve had them around at school, at work and online, is that some of them do not pick up on other people’s social cues. A person without the disorder might get the cue that the priest is tired or is distracted by something else and does not want to talk right now. The disordered person will miss the cue and not understand why the priest doesn’t want to talk.