Posted on 10/26/2016 4:21:47 PM PDT by ebb tide
>>... the conservation of the ashes of the departed in a domestic residence is not permitted. Only in grave and exceptional cases dependent on cultural conditions of a localized nature, may the Ordinary, in agreement with the Episcopal Conference or the Synod of Bishops of the Oriental Churches, concede permission for the conservation of the ashes of the departed in a domestic residence. Nonetheless, the ashes may not be divided among various family members and due respect must be maintained regarding the circumstances of such a conservation.<<
This permission should be seen in the context of the contemporary situation of the Church, where "exceptional cases" quickly become normal as long as these are in conformity with the secular and worldly spirit favored by many, "practicing" Catholics included. If "cultural conditions" are now enough grounds for local bishops to permit the ashes of the dead to be kept in private homes, then we fear that before long such permissions will multiply, given that it is no longer an uncommon practice. Interestingly, while the bishops are to consult with the Bishops' Conference (or Synod of Bishops of an Oriental Church), there is no mention of the Holy See getting involved with the Bishops' Conferences' determinations on the matter.
In addition to not permitting the division of the ashes of the deceased, the new instruction also does not permit the scattering of the ashes, or their transformation into mementos (such as crystals, jewelry, figurines and the like). At first sight, the instruction seems to come down strongly against these practices, even citing the need to avoid "every appearance of pantheism, naturalism or nihilism". Unfortunately, when Cardinal Müller was asked about these by Zenit yesterday (October 25), his response all but deprived his own instruction of all real force (our emphases):
(Excerpt) Read more at rorate-caeli.blogspot.com ...
Cremation was never allowed before Vatican II.
There is a pattern folks, really.
Like Holy Communion in the paw, the exception will become the norm.
Here, Muller displays his duplicity. If cremation is not prohibited, it is obviously permitted and not even a venial sin because the Church has never condoned sin. At least not until Pope Francis came along.
thanks for sharing this.
when i was asked to give a eulogy for a dear, wonderful friend.... (in Catholic church), I did know it was not normally done (and indeed the Church says it is not supposed to be done, except the celebrant/priest may say a few words of gratitide for the decedant’s life in his homily, or a relative or friend many say a FEW words about the departed in the closing rite, Order of Christian Funerals 27).
Given that the family and priest asked me to do it, I did so. It went well, and the priest was extremely kind to praise my talk when I got done, something I did NOT expect.
very gracious of him. Now that I look back on it, and with further learning if not wisdom of age, I realize that my talk should have been saved for the closing rite or a later assembly such as at the home or (if there had been one) mortuary/cemetery. Well, I did not then know the full rule and I was asked to do it, and it went well, so that is that.
For everyone else who may be interested tho, the RC Church has theological reasons why eulogies are not normally included in the funeral mass. (Basically, the funeral mass is for different purposes, to pray for the soul of the deceased in that the RC Church believes in intercessory prayers, also to comfort the mourners, etc. the funeral mass is not meant as a celebration or praise of the decedant’s life, which is pretty much what I did.)
Secondly, I drolled on for far too long, any family or friends remarks are not only supposed to be after celebration of the mass, but they are supposed to be brief. Mine were definitely not brief, as I was still grief-sticken and as you can see from this note also, not terse.
Third, I included one line (of the thousands) that accidentally violated RC Church ‘rules’ -— even though I checked it out first with a deacon to make sure it did comply in all respects. What was it? I mentioned my thought that the departed James had lived up to his namesake (James the Just, brother of Jesus) and I speculated he was already in Heaven with God. Meant to comfort the mourners and a true expression of my belief, this violated Church teaching that only the Church possesses the power of canonization (saying someone has gone to Heaven).
SO, not only did I bore “the Heck” out of 300 people, alas, I also broke several Church rules.
AND the family broke a church rule I see now thanks to your post here, thanks, by keeping James’ ashes on their fireplace mantle.
ALAS. WELL, all innnocent transgressions to be sure.
with the very best of intentions by all concerned. The nice priest was elderly then and now has passed on, so I can’t ask him about it now anyway. What’s done is done.
On a matter of much larger impact and consequence,
I sure wish the Church would come out and enforce Canon Law 915, etal, concerning the public advocacy of grave sin such as abortion
come out and let it be known that a few key political hacks like Pelosi and Biden etc, have disqualified themselves from the eucharist....that would be a good start Letting them slide year after year only undermines Biblical/Church teachings on a mass, public scale. this makes the Church look like its not serious about what it teaches
and I needn’t say any more.
blessings,
Pope Frank is doing to the RCC what Obama has done to America.
How about taxidermy? Can we have people stuffed and keep them at home? Some guys may want to keep their ex around to remind them to avoid getting married again.
You are correct. It’s not “supposed to happen”, but it is common practice at Novus Ordo funeral services. I have been to quite a few over the last year and every single one of them had a eulogy.
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