We, Being Many, Are One Body: Fostering Autistic Belonging at the Holy Table

Jonny Watson

Braemor Series 19

We, Being Many, Are One Body

Fostering Autistic Belonging at the Holy Table 

Church worship is a tapestry of sensory experiences and implicit norms presenting formidable barriers for autistic worshipers seeking to belong. While communal worship endeavours to unite individuals in the praise of God, research consistently highlights the challenges faced by autistic worshippers in achieving full participation. This study, grounded in a social constructivist framework and informed by Erving Goffman’s seminal work on stigma and identity, reveals how social norms and the medical model of autism have historically shaped ecclesial practices to the detriment of autistic worshippers. It advocates for a paradigm shift within the Church of Ireland, urging a critical examination of the cultural and structural factors contributing to the exclusion of autistic individuals, rather than focusing on their perceived deficits. The research addresses a notable gap in Autism Theology by focusing on the Celebration of Holy Communion. Employing autoethnography, the study highlights the exclusion experienced by the author’s family within their parish. Through thematic analysis of qualitative research, particularly ethnographic accounts from autistic individuals, recurring factors within church worship are identified that create dissonance between autistic and non– autistic worshippers.

Recognising that recent scholarship challenges the view of the Last Supper as the sole origin of the Eucharist, the study advocates for an interpretation of Jesus’ table fellowship within its social context. Utilising social scientific criticism, narrative criticism, and a hermeneutical approach centred on social stigma, the study examines the banquet motif in the Gospel of Luke. It posits that Jesus challenged prevailing social norms through His practice of radical hospitality and inclusive table fellowship, particularly towards marginalised individuals. The study argues that contemporary eucharistic practices should embody Jesus’ radical hospitality. Incorporating perspectives from Critical Autism Studies, Theology, Biblical Studies and Benedictine Spirituality, this study concludes with some potential modifications to the Celebration of Holy Communion. The study suggests that making subtle adjustments to eucharistic practices could improve worship by promoting inclusive participation and fostering a sense of belonging for all who gather, regardless of their neurotype.

• Year

  2026

• Pages

  123

• ISBN

  978-1-917814-05-8