Mom of banned teen with autism questions priest in hearing

From The Associated Press and WDAY-TV on June 25:

LONG PRAIRIE, Minn. -- A woman who says her autistic child should be allowed to
attend church services put her priest on the stand during a hearing in Long Prairie.

The Church of St. Joseph in the central Minnesota town of Bertha obtained a restraining order against 13-year-old Adam Race, claiming the boy was disruptive and dangerous at Mass.

His mother, Carol Race, is fighting the restraining order. She represented herself at Tuesday's hearing, and questioned the Reverend Daniel Walz for about 30 minutes.

Walz acknowledged that he did not witness all of the alleged disruptions, but said he
believes they happened.

Judge Sally Ireland Robertson took the matter under advisement and said she would rule later.

Afterward, Race said she was disappointed that she wasn't allowed to question the priest about his credibility. She said she and her family will return to the church if the restraining order is lifted.