Fr. Matthew Schneider ASD disclosure video:

We now have a little testimony from our first Catholic priest, shared with his permission. This priest - Fr. Matthew Schneider, LC - has publicly disclosed that he is autistic. 

Fr. Matthew’s testimony is being released on the Feast of St. Augustine, and I have two thoughts in mind from this great saint’s heart. Although St. Augustine later became a great Doctor of the Church, he lived a life of sin for years. Yet Augustine deeply longed for God - even though he was away from Him. This is so aptly expressed in his book “The Confessions.” Augustine wrote “Our hearts are restless till they rest in God,” and “Late have I loved You, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new.”  

There are so many on the autism spectrum - or who have ADHD, Non-Verbal Learning Disorder, or other disabilities - that feel this same longing...whether they know it or not. They need to know that no matter how lost and misunderstood they may feel, God loves them. He relates to them in the midst of their gifts, quirks, challenges, brokenness, heartbreaks, or even lack of social connections - and He certainly has a wonderful plan for their lives. This is true whether they are called to singlehood, married life, or priesthood or religious life. All are called to share the love of the Trinity for all eternity!

Here’s a bit more about Fr. Matthew: Before this mid-2019 video, he had written anonymously on social media about being an autistic priest, but he had not publicly revealed his recent diagnosis. As a result, he would not have had the same public opportunity to help those on the spectrum or with other disabilities affecting social interaction. This video is the first in a series that will address various autistic Catholic/faith based concerns. Many of them apply to my own Non-Verbal Learning Disability, which is similar to autism. Fr. Matthew notes that many individuals with ASD are atheist or agnostic. Hopefully, his testimony will have two major effects. First, his example can help those with ASD see the beauty of Christ and the Catholic faith as the answer to life’s big questions. We hope it will also inspire more Catholics to have a better understanding of autism and other conditions affecting social skills, so that people with those conditions can be helped to encounter both the Truth and Love of Christ. 

I will conclude with this thought: this video release is also very important to me as a convert to the Catholic faith, and the Founder of St. Therese’s Vision for Disability Giftedness. Due to my NVLD I do not process info related to faith in many of the ways neurotypicals do. Instead, I process in a way that is very similar to autistic people. I am thankful for the opportunity to build a new friendship with Fr. Matthew Schneider, and for his permission to post his videos on my website. I plan to continue to collaborate with him on discussion of outreach initiatives, in whatever way the Spirit leads us. God willing, Fr. Matthew’s other videos will appear in the Resources section shortly!

Reflection by George Ayer, Founder St. Therese’s Vision for Disability Giftedness

Edited by Taylor Hyatt (1st testimony contributor)