PARISH REPORT: Church Installs “Judge-Free Room” For Non-Communicants

Last updated on: February 21, 2016 at 9:37 am by Larry D

PARISH REPORT: Church Installs “Judge-Free Room” For Non-Communicants 2016-02-21T09:37:14-05:00 Larry D

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Stairway leading from Judge-free Room to secret passageway.

(AoftheANews) ALBUQUERQUE – Believed to be the only of its kind in any Catholic church anywhere in the world, St Jose Cuervo in downtown Albuquerque opened a “Judge-free room” last weekend, for those who attend Mass but do not partake of Holy Communion.

“Over the years, numerous parishioners have told me they’re tired of being judged by others when they refrain from presenting themselves for Holy Communion,” Fr Bob Serunkle, pastor of St Jose’s, told AoftheA News. “They wanted to leave the church, so out of sensitivity and compassion – and to keep them from leaving – I installed the Judge-free Room. Now they can participate at Mass while not suffering the condemning glares and judgmental stares of those seated around them.”

The room, similar to a crying room, seats up to twenty. But that’s where the similarity ends. The window facing the sanctuary is a one-way mirror, protecting occupants’ identities from curious, self-righteous eyes. A staircase descends to a tunnel that leads to an unmarked subterranean garage, located some distance off of parish property, accessible only by magnetic keycards provided by Fr Serunkle. Thus, users’ privacy from high-and-mighty parishioners is completely assured.

Underground parking for the Judge-Free room users

“Judge-free Room users need to contact me at least 24 hours in advance,” Fr Serunkle explained. “I give them directions to the garage, and the keycard. They leave the cards in the room after each Mass, which are re-coded before the next weekend.”

Those who’ve used the Judge-free Room have been overjoyed.

“No more reproachful scowls from those squeezing by me in the pew on their way to communion,” Mabel Leen (not her real name) told AoftheA News. “Now I can pray during communion and not feel hot daggers shooting from people’s eyes, piercing my very soul.”

“What I like,” said Art Udeetu (not his real name), “is no longer having to convince the ushers that I’m not receiving. They don’t seem to understand, and get all confused when I stay in the pew. Sometimes they get confrontational, and insist I should go up and at least get a blessing.”

Not all the parishioners aren’t pleased with the new accommodations, however. One lady said with a condescending sigh, “Well, back to criticizing and sneering at women who wear pants.”

Images via Pixabay

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