The National Catholic Register today published an article entitled “Autism and the Priesthood: How the Church is Responding”. I was sent some interview questions by the author beforehand. As a result, I have been quoted or mentioned several times in the article. I did not get to see the article before it was published. Neither I nor Autism Consecrated necessarily agree with the opinions of others cited in it.

When we read that seminary formation for autistic seminarians involves making their autism “invisible”, or some seemingly offhand comment that “we’re all a little bit autistic”, would any human person be surprised if we experience such things as a slap in the face? Making autism “invisible” is another name for masking. Research and experience have shown how harmful masking is. Yet, it is ultimately dehumanizing, just as it is when representatives of the Church speak about autistic people only in terms of their inconvenience to the community.

So much of this flies in the face of everything we seek to promote at Autism Consecrated. None of it is the Way of St. Thorlak. The most positive thing I can say about it is “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they say”.

– Fr. Mark Nolette
August 20, 2026