Letters

Catholic funerals

George Simpson

Contents - Nov 2010 - Buy a copy now Homily: Feast of All Saints: Benedict XVI's homily - Pope Benedict XVI Canonisation: St Mary of the Cross MacKillop: let the truth be told - Peter Westmore News: The Church Around the World Homosexuality: Courage and EnCourage Chicago Conference: holiness the key - Marie Mason Gendercide: how abortion targets baby girls - Peter Kavanagh Liturgy: Catholic funerals: Bishop Elliott explains Melbourne's guidelines - Bishop Peter J. Eliott Vocations: Priestly and religious vocations upsurge in the US - Tim Drake Saints: Blessed John Henry Newman: why he is worthy of canonisation - Frank Mobbs Ukrainian Catholics: Ukraine's University of the Catacombs - Andrew Kania Letters: Catholic funerals - George Simpson Letters: Benedict XVI in the UK - Arnold Jago Letters: Future Church - Tom King Letters: Vatican II: infallibility - John Young Letters: Infallibility criteria - James Bogle Letters: Definitive or not? - Fr Brian Harrison OS, STD Letters: Declarations - Frank Mobbs Letters: Abortion - Moya and Leo Morrissey Letters: Elephants in the room - Frank Bellet Books: Damien of Molokai: the Leper Saint, by Robert Louis Stevenson - Michael E. Daniel (reviewer) Books: HIS NAME IS MERCY, by Fr Ken Barker MGL - Archbishop Denis Hart (reviewer) Books: BLESSED JOHN  HENRY NEWMAN: A Richly Illustrated Portrait, by K.D. and D. Fso - Br Barry Coldrey (reviewer) Fighting Fund progress Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: The woman in another place [Luke 4:38-39; Acts 12:12-17) - Babette Francis

The popular press has recently been most critical of Melbourne's Archbishop Denis Hart for his stand on the conduct of Catholic funerals, particularly in regard to inappropriate music and eulogies.

My experience has been that when the popular press criticises a Catholic bishop it is a sign that the bishop has done something right. It should be noted that His Grace is not introducing anything new, but is upholding existing regulations which, unfortunately, have  been widely neglected throughout the archdiocese.

A Catholic funeral is not a celebration of life. Only God knows if, and to what extent, a life is worthy of celebration. The indications are that many saved souls find their way to heaven via purgatory, and a funeral is an ideal opportunity to pray for the soul of the deceased.

It is sad that many Catholics have joined the criticism of Archbishop Hart, a poor reflection on the state of modern religious instruction.

The criticism has again led to accusations that the Church is out of step with current thinking. Such criticism has been around since before the time of Nero and it is true. For Christ said that His kingdom was not of this world. Hence it is not the duty of the Church to comply with man's wishes, but rather it is man's duty to comply with the will of God.

GEORGE SIMPSON
North Blackburn, Vic

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 23 No 10 (November 2010), p. 13