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, his parents told NJ Advance Media Thursday.

Anthony, who is non-verbal, was denied the sacrament by Rev. John Bambrick at the Saint Aloysius Parish in Jackson, said his mother Nicole LaCugna.

The church told the parents on Tuesday that their son could not receive First Holy Communion because his disability prevents him from determining right from wrong, Nicole LaCugna said. The frustrated parents shared their story on Facebook in a post that has since garnered thousands of likes and comments.

“God created everybody. He created my son the way he is for a reason," Nicole LaCugna said in a phone interview. "(Communion) is supposed to be a blessed day, not a day of not thinking my son doesn’t belong. This is discrimination against my child.”

The Rev. John Bambrick appears in a 2011 photo during a Sept. 11 event. SL

The church did not immediately respond to NJ Advance Media for comment.

A spokeswoman for the Trenton Diocese, Rayanne Bennett, pointed NJ Advance Media to canon law, which states local pastors are responsible for determining a child’s readiness for communion. The diocese also runs learning centers at six churches throughout Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington and Mercer counties open to children and adults with special needs who need support beyond their local parish.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Wednesday, the church said it followed diocese guidelines that say the church can postpone a child’s communion if they do not have a “basic, rudimentary, simple understanding of right and wrong."

But, the church said it is now exploring new ways to accommodate parishioners with disabilities in the future and adopting different guidelines.

“Our parish has dozens of children with special needs, disabilities, autism spectrum, cognitive delay, allergies, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, limited cognition and other physical, emotional and cognitive classifications. We strive to serve these populations to the best of our abilities,” the church said. “Since Monday, we have been researching how we could best assist the most profoundly disabled in a better way. The family many of you have advocated for has been informed of this new guidance that will allow further adaptations to Preparation and reception of the Sacraments."

A Jackson church wouldn't allow 8-year-old Anthony LaCugna to participate in First Holy Communion due to his disability, his parents say.Courtesy of LaCugna family

Nicole LaCugna says she has not heard from the parish on whether her son would be allowed to participate in his First Holy Communion, nor would she want him to receive the sacrament from Rev. Bambrick.

“I know God believes in my son, but that man does not believe in my son,” Nicole LaCugna said.

This is not the first time the Jackson church has faced controversy over its policies.

In 2017, a 13-year-old alleged he was kicked out of Catholic education classes, known as CCD, because he was openly gay. The church denied that was the case, but cited privacy in not explaining further.

Nicole LaCugna said she asked the parish if her family could homeschool Anthony under the CCD curriculum two years ago and church leaders agreed. She said he planned to receive communion in April with other children.

“I’ve been very transparent with the church about Anthony from the beginning,” LaCugna said. "I knew my son wouldn’t be able to sit still.’”

Now, Nicole LaCugna and her husband Jimmy say they hope their son’s story creates change for those with special needs who are treated unfairly.

Since their viral post, Nicole LaCugna said they have received messages from other parents of children with disabilities who have similar stories.

“Do you know how many people have experienced this too?" Nicole LaCugna said. “We are just trying to make awareness in the community.”

Avalon Zoppo may be reached at azoppo2@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AvalonZoppo. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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