Father Rodrigo Trindade, a clergyman from the Diocese of Patos in Brazil's Paraíba state, became a viral sensation following his candid remarks at a public hearing. The session, held on April 27 at the Municipal Chamber of Patos, was dedicated to discussing autism-related issues. His powerful testimony resonated deeply online, drawing an outpouring of support and commentary from people across social media.
During the hearing, Father Trindade shared his personal journey with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis, which he received as an adult around three years ago. He spoke openly about the significant challenges he and others on the spectrum encounter in various aspects of life, including during religious services. He pointedly observed that the world, and even the structure of a typical mass, is often not designed with autistic individuals in mind, but rather for neurotypical people.
The priest provided specific examples from his own experience. He described how sensory sensitivities, such as strong lighting, can be overwhelming. He also explained his difficulty with verbal communication in certain situations, noting that if an altar server brought a book upside down, he would struggle to verbally ask for it to be corrected and would instead try to read it as it was. He emphasized that many autistic people experience some level of involuntary non-verbal moments.
Father Trindade also reflected on his childhood, recalling that he used to play during church services, which gives him empathy for autistic children who might do the same. He shared his approach with their parents, joking that if anything breaks, they can increase their tithe, adding that in his experience, it has only been adults who have accidentally broken items like lamps.
A major theme of his speech was the emotional toll of societal invalidation. He expressed the frustration of having to constantly justify his diagnosis to be accepted, contrasting his experience with those who have higher support needs and do not face the same skepticism. He described the pain of having his diagnosis questioned by friends, family, and society, and the difficulty of being accused of seeking special privileges when using accommodations like priority queues.
The path to his diagnosis was long and arduous. It began after two years of psychological therapy, after which his psychologist suspected ASD. He was then referred for extensive neuropsychological testing over many sessions. The process required him to travel to João Pessoa, often leaving before dawn to return in time for his Thursday masses. He admitted that he initially did not accept the diagnosis, wishing it were not true, and highlighted the societal pressure that frames seeking a diagnosis as looking for "easy benefits."
Throughout his testimony, Father Trindade wore a cord identifying him as an autistic person, a practice he maintains regularly. His story has sparked a broader conversation about inclusion, understanding, and the lived experiences of autistic adults, particularly within religious communities.
Based on reporting from g1.