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Can the sins of parents lead God to punish them by allowing their children to have disabilities or to withhold healing for a child? The child's disability to which I'm referring is Autism and the parents’ sin is being spiritual lukewarm, perhaps they have weak faith, and lack submission to God. The parents were told that the child's situation is a result of their spiritual condition. (By the way it was an Abouna who said that).

A parent's sins may be a factor that a child acquires an illness or a disability, but certainly not all children's illnesses or disabilities are due to the sins of the parents. The consumption of alcohol and drugs by a parent (primarily the mother) or the infection of a sexually transmitted disease (can be either parent) may definitely impede on the health of a fetus. God will not use these means as a punishment, but a child's disability or chronic illness may be the consequence of the sins or reckless behaviors of a parent. Suffering is an element of the human condition, but it is not induced by God as punishment. God may use an illness to heal a person spiritually, like He did with the paralytic man (Mark 2:5), or strengthen one's faith by revealing His glory, as He did with the man born blind (John 9:3). God is not the cause of suffering, whether to a parent or a child, but specific sins in themselves beckon the severity of an illness or disability. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Who is not a sinner? Christ's love, forgiveness, and mercy are evinced upon the cross where He bore all of our afflictions, infirmities, and iniquities in Himself (Isaiah 53), not to punish us, but to save us.

Autism remains an enigma as recorded in all medical journals. An analysis of a person's spiritual condition generally does not contradict a scientific diagnosis. For example, we can spiritually and scientifically conclude that a parent's alcoholism can lead to an infant's fetal alcohol syndrome. However, we cannot draw those kinds of inferences for autism. These parents now need spiritual support, not judgment. Commenting on what was actually said and why by the priest is not really productive at this point, but friends and family should provide these parents with a strong support system. There are many phases similar to grieving in which parents experience when a child is diagnosed with autism. It is devastating for parents to lose their child to this condition and there is no cure at this time.

The SUS Diocese developed a program a few years ago to serve individuals with special needs and their families—Archangel Raphael Ministry (A.R.M.). An annual convention filled with information, spiritual discussions, and many fun activities for the child, siblings, and parents is held at St. Stephen Christian Retreat & Conference Center in Titusville, FL, during the last weekend in July. The parents may contact Fr. Joachim Boutros or other members of the committee at www.copticangel.org and develop a strong spiritual support system with other parents and professionals who can provide resources and help alleviate some of their stress.